Franklin Lee Waters Sr

Obituary Franklin Lee Waters Sr. was born on March 25, 1943, to the late Harvey Elwood Waters, Sr. and Elsie Viola Purnell Waters. Franklin unexpectedly took his eternal rest on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at his home at Newtown Apartments in Pocomoke City, Maryland. He received his formal education in the public schools of Somerset County, Maryland. Franklin was grounded in the Lord and accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and throughout his life. He was well versed in the Bible, with his favorite scripture being Psalm 23. Franklin worked several jobs on the Eastern Shore including P&L and Birds Eye Chicken Factories. In 1963, Franklin was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Frances Collins of Horntown, Virginia for 13 years. From this union, Gail Denise Waters (deceased), Franklin Lee Waters, Jr. and Vickie Ann Waters were born. In 1966, Franklin moved his family to New Castle, Delaware to seek more opportunity and make a home for his family. He and his family settled in New Castle, Delaware in the Rosegate community where extended family and relationships were birthed over several years in the tight knit/hardworking community. He was well-respected in the community and you could often find him talking and laughing with the younger generation. He worked several jobs, including washing cars until he found employment with General Motors working on the assembly line in chassey and the paint department for over 30 years, until he retired in 2003. Franklin was a hard worker and dedicated to his craft and the GMC brand until the end. You would find him complimenting someone’s car, followed up by, “I’m a GM man,” especially if it was a Ford or Chevrolet. His direct involvement in the automobile industry only enhanced his love for cars and the careful detail and attention he would put in to purchasing (especially Cadillacs and Buicks) and caring for them. He had several over the years and he was always looking to enhance the appearance or speed of whatever he drove and was not afraid to test the speed. Several years after being divorced, Franklin married his second wife, Valeria Murrell, during which Ginee Alese Waters was born. Eighteen years age difference between the children presented him with the opportunity to love unconditionally and experience a new level of love at a different stage in his life. After separating from his second wife, he became a “girl dad” over again and found himself having to learn how to do girlie things all over after becoming a single parent. With the help of family and friends, Franklin found himself learning the “girlie” world all over again, from clothes to school to adjusting to teenage life and the dreaded “boy’” stage. Franklin was up for the challenge and took being a single parent seriously. Over 30 years of being a single parent only enhanced his desire to be a good father to all of his children the best that he could. Franklin loved his family and spending time with them without question was a priority and he was also often deemed the “cool or fun” uncle. He was young in spirit, and you would normally find him spending a lot of time with his son, nephews, cousins, and close friends. You could always find him ready to play a friendly but COMPETITIVE game of spades (especially with his son and nephew-Junie) and searching for the answer to their table clues of “You got the horse, and I got the saddle.” The games were always entertaining with many not knowing who the winners were at the end but always a fun time and lots of laughs. He was extremely competitive! Some of his hobbies included being on the General Motors Assembly bowling team at Bowelerama in New Castle, DE and carrying the highest average of 246. He played on the General Motors softball team called The Paint Dept. All of his hobbies led to the path of him being well known, highly respected and cultivating long lasting friendships during the journey. Franklin was very personable and friendly. When you encountered him, you knew he was one with style and class by the way his clothes coordinated from head to toe and his shoes had to be shined (if not, you might find him using his pant leg to clean them if he saw dirt). He loved to cook. Some of his signature/well known dishes included Macaroni and Cheese, String Beans, Beef, Potato Salad, Neckbones and Potatoes (his favorite) and a host of other dishes. After eating, you would often find him sitting in a chair with a toothpick in his mouth and shaking his leg once he crossed them until he fell asleep. This was one of his well-known family signature moves. Franklin was an avid lover of music from an early age. He sang in several Gospel groups with friends and family, including the Soul Stirrers and Pilgrim Five with one of his favorite songs being Heaven Is My Home in which he had the leading part and another favorite of his was Jesus Is Love. Franklin made a second career out of DJing (Kilroy and Doc. B) for many years in which his name “Kilroy” became well known by many. Franklin LOVED his children. He knew their different personalities, characteristics and knew how to relate and adjust to them individually. They all had a different and loving relationship with him. His fond and loving memories will continue to live on through: his Children, Franklin Waters, Jr. of Wilmington, DE, Vickie Ann Waters-Walton (Charles) of Media, PA and Ginee Alese Waters of Wilmington, DE; stepson Gregory A. Murrell of Wilmington, DE; one sibling, Gladys Handy of Reigelwood, NC; eleven Grandchildren, Keishelle Nesbitt of New Castle, DE, LeAndre Nesbitt and Crissaundra Nesbitt, both of Wilmington, DE, Charles Walton, Jr. and Cameron (Diamond) Walton, both of Media, PA, Courtney Mason and Unique Richardson, both of Wilmington, DE, Derek Cornel Henry III and Aysajah Maurice Lee Henry, both of New Castle, DE) and Geone Alese Waters Brown and Geonta Nasir Brown, both of Wilmington, DE; six Great Grandchildren, Destiny Latrice Grier, Juliana Faith Walton, Natalie Grace Walton, Brandy Aundrea Nesbitt, Luther Stith, Leland Jacob Nesbitt; special and fond memories with Clarence Waters, Jr., Harvey Waters III, Cornell Waters, Marlo Waters, Peggy Wilson, Derrick Taylor, Eric Taylor, Stephane Taylor and Elwood Taylor, Jr. who all supported and spent quality and valuable time with him when he relocated to Pocomoke 3 years ago. Along with a HOST of family, friends, and those he encountered, the memories will live on. Franklin was preceded in death by: his parents, Harvey E. Waters, Sr. and Elsie Waters; his siblings, Theodore Waters, Sylvester Waters, Edna Waters, Regina Dickerson, Harvey Waters, Jr., Betty Ann Taylor and Thomas Waters. He fostered a life of freedom regardless of perception or judgment and lived his life the way that made him happy. His flesh will be sorrowfully missed on earth, but his spirit and memories will continue to be part of the Legacy that continues to live on.

Franklin Lee Waters Sr

March 25, 1943 - November 5, 2022