D. C. Waters

Delma Carswell Waters, affectionately known to his friends and family as “D.C.”, passed away on January 23, 2019 following an extended illness at Kindred Hospital in Green Cove Springs, FL. D.C. was born in Waycross, Georgia to the late Ocen and Queen Waters. He was also preceded in death by siblings; Varie Gaskins, Debenion Waters, Dewain Waters, and Darrell Waters. His loving daughter, Terri Meyer also preceded him in death. In his early years, D.C. grew up on the west end of Waring Street better known as “Happy Holler”. After graduation, he served in the Navy for three years and attended the University of Georgia. He married in 1949 and had two daughters. D.C. became an entrepreneur at a young age. In 1958, following a year in the used car business, he moved his family to Orlando, Florida where he joined the staff of a local Ford dealer for two years. He moved from there to manage a dealership in Cocoa and later, with a partner, purchased dealerships in Winter Haven and Kissimmee. In 1966 he moved his family to Eustis, Florida and purchased his own “Ford Dealership” which he owned for fifteen years. He took pride in his dealership and relished the relationships he made during his time in business. Over the years, his car expertise and reputation led him to run one of the top dealerships in the nation and win the Ford Motor Company Distinguished Achievement Award. After his retirement in 1980, he stayed active and kept busy by building log cabins, designing/remodeling homes, and traveling the nation in his motorhome. A couple of his favorite spots to stop were Las Vegas and Biloxi, as he was an avid poker player. Anyone who knew D.C. Waters, knew he was larger than life. He loved spending time with family and friends and truly lived life to the fullest. Survivors left to cherish, honor and protect his loving memory are his loving companion of twenty-eight years, Sheila Rue, a daughter, Kim Hand and her husband Tom; grandchildren, Jennifer Ronn (Matthew), Elizabeth Combes (Bradford), Meghan Lawler (Daniel), and Troy Hand (Gretchen); great-grandchildren, Hayden, Sawyer and Brooklyn Ronn; a sister, Wim Hendrix and a brother, Denver (Joyce) along with numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL on Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 2:00 till 4:00 PM. Military Graveside Services will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 12:30 PM. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.