IDA WATERS

Ida Pearl Waters, 69, of Pembroke Township, IL, died Monday, May 27, 2013 at her home. Visitation and Family Gathering will be Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 p. m. at Lax Mortuary. Pastor Carl A. Randle will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials may be made to the family, The American Cancer Society, or Hospice of Kankakee Valley. Ida Pearl Waters was born March 30, 1944 in Twist, Arkansas, to Willie Lee and Rosie Lee Byrd, both preceded her in death. She was baptized at Lighted Cross New Testament Church in Pomona, California by Bishop C.D. Darden where she served on the Usher board until she relocated to Wilmot, Arkansas in 1989. In 1984, Ida married the love of her life, Johnnie Lee Waters Jr. In addition to the combined total of 11 children between the two of them, a daughter was born to the marriage, bringing the total number of children to 12. Although she described herself as a Ã¢â‚¬Å"jack of all trades and master of none,Ã¢â‚¬Â it seemed that being a Certified NurseÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Aide was really what she was sent by God to do. From the 10 years she spent as a CNA at Golden Age Convalescent Home in California, to her final days as both an aide at Wilmot Nursing Home and a home health care provider in Wilmot, Arkansas, it was obvious to everyone around her that she had a natural ability and a generous heart to care for others. Ida will always be remembered as a woman who loved life and celebrating it every chance she got. She enjoyed completing Fill-It-In puzzle books in ink and crocheting blankets for her family and friends-something she continued to do until her health began to fail. She leaves to cherish her memory, four sons and two daughters-in-law, David Byrd of Helena, Arkansas, Arthur and Barbara Ann Byrd of Glendale, Arizona, Johnnie Lee Wallace Jr. of Manteno, IL and Robert and Corine Waters of Rialto, California; six daughters, Rose Marie Monday of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Pearlie (Johnny) Bonasera of Mouldin, South Carolina, Rose Marie Waters of Los Angeles, California Jacqueline D. Parker of Pembroke Township, Illinois, Barbara Waters of Los Angeles, California and LaKisha Waters of Pembroke Township, Illinois; one brother, Willie Lee (Donna) Byrd Jr. of Kankakee, Illinois; 44 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons, Robert Nathan Byrd and Charles Edward Waters; one sister, Carleane Byrd; two brothers, Theorable Byrd and Zebedee Byrd and one grandson, Calvin James Lemon Jr.

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IDA WATERS

March 30, 1944 - May 27, 2013