John George Waters was born 22 May 1891 in Inman, Spartanburg Co., S.C., a son of Robert Franklin and Nannie (Penland) Waters. He had at least one sibling: Clara Belle (1895-1989).

John registered for the draft 5 Jun 1917 in Spartanburg Co., S.C. His draft card describes him as medium height and build, blue eyes, dark hair.

He entered the National Army 7 Nov 1917 at Camp Sevier, Greenville, Greenville Co., S.C. He served at large as a Private in the Quartermaster Corps until his honorable discharge 17 Nov 1918. His service number was 1334886.

He married Carrie Esther Lawrence (1896-1992). They had the following children: Riley McDuffy (1920-1989); Cecelia (1921-1995); John Robert (1923-2000); Patricia Elizabeth (1930-1979). In 1930, they were living in Campobello, Spartanburg Co., S.C., and John was a superintendent of county education. In 1940, they were living on Rt. 2, Campobello, Spartanburg Co., S.C., and John was a postmaster for the U.S. Post Office. In 1950, they were living on Highway 9, Campobello, Spartanburg Co., S.C., and John was still the postmaster at the U.S. Post Office.

John died of bronchial pneumonia 1 Oct 1966 in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Oteen, Buncombe Co., N.C., and is buried in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, S.C.

Obit (Spartanburg Herald Journal, 2 Oct 1966, p. c3):

Inman — Services for John George Waters, 75, former Spartanburg County superintendent of education, 3:30 Monday at Church of the Open Door, the Revs. Harold Kattman, Paul Halbert; burial Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Waters died 2:30 Saturday morning at the Oteen Veterans Hospital.

Son of the late Robert Franklin and Nannie Penland Waters; 1917 graduate University of South Carolina; former school superintendent at Fork Roads, Holly Springs and Estill; pioneer in the consolidation of schools for Spartanburg County; Inman postmaster for 16 years, peach orchardist, farmer, WWI veteran; member Church of the Open Door.

Survivors: wife, Mrs. Carrie Lawrence Waters; son, Riley Waters of Fairview, N.C., the Rev. John Robert Waters of Laurens; daughters, Mrs. Cecelia Cranford of Lyman, Mrs. Patricia Allen, of Charlotte; sister, Mrs. Belle HINES of Route 3; and 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers: Eddie, David, John Enoch and David Waters, Bernard Cranford Jr., Vernon Penland, Willie Robert and James Hines.

Family to receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. today at Seawright Funeral Home. Contributions are suggested for the building fund of the Church of the Open Door or to missionary causes as memorials in lieu of flowers.

John George Wall