Leon R. Waters

Leon Russell Waters was born in Cambridge, MD to Asbury and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Waters on December 18, 1928. The family later relocated to Reliance, MD and, eventually, settled in Seaford, DE. He received his formal education at Frederick Douglass which was then a school for Blacks. On December 23, 1949, Leon was united in marriage to Marian P. Jackson. They were married for 51 years until her death on December 17, 2001. To this union, they had seven children, four sons and three daughters; Leon also has a son from a previous relationship. They also raised a grandson together. At the age of 15, Leon relocated to Philadelphia, PA where he became employed at a local seafood restaurant. Two years later, at the age of 17, he returned to Seaford, DE and became gainfully employed with the DuPont Company. He started out in a custodial position and one of his proudest moments with the company was when he was hired as the first Black to work in the Power Plant. Leon worked for DuPont for 39 years until his retirement, but being the hard worker that he was known as, he returned to the DuPont Company, less than a year after retirement, and worked for another 19 years until his final retirement from the company in June 2004, giving him a total of 58 years of service. Leon joined the Prince Hall Masons Morning Star Lodge No. 10, based out of Laurel, DE at the age of 24. The lodge moved to Sharptown, MD for a while; it was there that he helped build the Nebo Community Center. The lodge returned to Laurel several years later and throughout his service as a Mason, he served in various capacities. His most prestigious position was being appointed as Grand Marshall. On December 15, 1994, Leon was inducted as a lifetime member for his years of service with the lodge. Proud of his Concord community, he also served as a member of his local Neighborhood Watch for some time. In his spare time he also enjoyed going to breakfast, daily, with his friends, gardening and yard work, watching Westerns, storytelling and spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grand children and his special companion Ms. Mary Batson. Leon also enjoyed playing cards and billiards with one of his best friends, William “Skip” Briggs, Sr. In addition to his wife and his parents, Leon was also preceded in death by his son, Donald E. Waters. Leaving to cherish his memories are his children, Leon (Diane) Bolden, Allen Waters, Violet Waters, Michael Waters and Elisa (Dexter) George. all of Seaford, DE; Doris (James) Farmer of Fayetteville, NC; Forrest (Tanya) Waters of Newark, DE; a grandson whom he raised, Ivan Waters of Oklahoma City, OK; 23 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Mabel Harper of Philadelphia, PA; a sister-in-law, Rachel (Winfield) Jackson of Rhodesdale, MD, his special companion Mary Batson who cared for and stayed by his side until his final days, a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leon R. Waters, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Leon R. Waters

December 12, 1928 - July 23, 2014