Rev. Von Herman Waters passed to life eternal at home on Jan. 10, 2012, surrounded by immediate family. Rev. Waters was born on Sept. 1, 1926. Herman, as he was known until the military said his name was Von, grew up in Tatnall County, Ga. Selected in high school by the Air Force for pilot training, he graduated from Glennville High School and attended Davidson College in North Carolina while awaiting orders for flight school. As World War II wound down, he served in Italy and Germany, giving instructional training to fellow G.I.s. Von then completed his mortuary science education at Gupton-Jones in Nashville and married his bride of 61 years, Lee Manning, in 1950. Von had a varied career, working an instructor for the Dale Carnegie courses, as a sales manager for Life of Georgia insurance and in management with ITT-Rayonier. Mid-life corporate down-sizing nudged him back to the land he'd grown up on, near Glennville. He built a house, planted a garden and fruit trees, and became an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, from which he retired. Von was an active civic and church volunteer. For many years he was "too busy" - traveling on weekends, acting as a lay-speaker for South Georgia Presbyterian Churches, serving as an elder in the Jesup Presbyterian Church, President of the Savannah Presbytery and President of the Men of the Church of the Synod of Georgia. Additionally Von was a Mason, active in VFW and served on the Wayne County Board of Education. He was deeply satisfied to have helped begin a pre-school for developmentally-disabled children, housed at the Jesup Presbyterian Church. Von loved the outdoors and enjoyed seeing the land. He raised his children fishing and tent camping, and then ventured on many RV trips with Lee and friends all over North America. Von relished Nutty Bars, low-scoring Braves games, a thick slice of raw onion, a slab of smoked mullet and a well-crafted sermon. He expected promises to be kept and people to be on time. Von loved a quick joke and "messing with" anybody. He eschewed his hearing aids, gossip, arguing, gum-smacking and basketball. Alive to hold his memory are Von's wife Lee, children Dianne (Paul Hiltman), Steve (Sheila) and Allen, brother Beach (Bobbie), sisters Wanda (Earl Phillips), Pat, Debby and Katha (Jimmy Driggers), many nieces, nephews and friends. Especially precious to him were his grandchildren: Matt & Will Hiltman, Corey, Jessica and John Waters (mother: Deborah Kramer Waters) and Halen Waters (mother: Angela Andre Waters). His cats, Rusty and Haley, gave him many laughs and much comfort. Greeting him at Heaven's gate were his parents John Wesley and Floy Thompson Waters, brothers Gene, Boby, Romie, Cooledge (Gwen) and Prentice (Reba). He especially anticipated joshing with his precious youngest son, David, who passed unexpectedly in 2006. A combination of recurrent kidney infections, endocarditis and weariness led to his gradual decline. He was in hospice care his final week, lovingly coordinated by Weinstein Hospice of Atlanta. A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Harmony United Methodist Church in Glennville. Praise God for the life of this good man!