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She was the youngest of 6 children born to Ralph Afton and Alice Geneva Watters. She grew up in and around Mineral Wells and Denton, Texas. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and from North Texas State at the age of 19 earning her teachers certificate. She then took a teaching job in the Dallas area, and later accepted one in Rocksprings where she met the love of her life, Clyde “Murphy” Smart. They married in May of 1942 in San Antonio, and lived there until after the war was over. She worked for the US Government in the censorship department. They moved to Dallas after their work ended to be closer to her family. Her husband, Murphy, predeceased her in February of 1976. She is also predeceased by three brothers, and two sisters,one niece and one nephew, Bruzz Smart.
She is survived by her daughter Pat and husband Bill Hayes of Garland, granddaughters Jennifer Lewis and husband Eric of Garland, Cathy Tison and husband Rob of Rockwall. She is also survived by three precious great grandchildren, Austen Franger, Josh and Jordan Lewis, nieces Edwinda Conaway of Huntington, Ark, Samye Kay Smart of Abilene, Portia Smart of Mountain Home, Judy Carlson and Charee Watters of Minnapolis Mn. Nephews Neville Gordon Smart of Rocksprings, Raymond Cloudt of Belton, Walter Rowe of Duncanville and Daniel Watters of Minnesota.
Mrs. Elva Rose Graham Waites of Spring Branch, Texas died May 24, 2007 in Northeast Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 84.
She was born September 28, 1922 in Tarpley, Texas to John Allen and Lena Graham.
She is survived by sons: Tooter Waites and wife Carolyn of Spring Branch; Kenny Waites and wife Ginger of Junction, Texas; brother Gene Graham and wife Peggy of Rocksprings, Texas; five grandchildren: Lisa Hambrick, Kristi Hutton, Kelli Weakly, Jamie Waites and Lindsey Waites; three great grandchildren: Blaire Hambrick, Kenedy Weakly, and Hadyn Weakly. She was preceded in death by her husband, L.D. “Dick” Waites, two sisters, one brother and her parents.
Pallbearers were John Kiker, C.G. “Punk” Graham, Dennis Funderburgh, John Weakly, Brad Hutton and Darby Hambrick. Honorary pallbearers were Claude “Boy” Graham, Chantz Greene, Cecil “Salty” Arnim, Walter Sorsby, Bubba Robertson, Dale Elrod and Gates Compton.
Services will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Chapel in Uvalde. Interment will follow in Sabinal Cemetery. Rev. Scott Bradford will officiate.
Arrangements are by Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary, Inc.
An online registry can be accessed at www.rekfunerals.com.