Cleo Allen Godwin Waters' Obituary
Cleo Allen Godwin Waters, age 96, passed away February 19, 2025, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida. Cleo was born April 21, 1928, in Hawthorne, Florida to Henry Tilton Allen and Lula Virginia Beckham Allen.
A longtime resident of Hawthorne, Cleo was active in her community. She drove a school bus for Hawthorne High School and Shell Elementary for 22 years, served as Sunday school director for First Baptist Church of Hawthorne, was a Hospice volunteer, a T.O.P.S. member, loved attending and supporting sporting events which her family was involved with, and found joy in attending and participating in church functions at both First Baptist Church of Hawthorne and Woodlawn Baptist Church.
Cleo was preceded in death by her husband of 62 ½ years, Buddy Waters; sisters, Eloise Peebles, Louise Sanders; brothers, Emory Allen and Clayton Allen.
She is survived by daughters, Betty Hofmann (Rick) and Susan McDonald (Richard), and son Jerry Waters (Donna) all of Hawthorne, Florida; grandchildren, Missy McDonald Hamlow, Dale Connelly (Latonya), Brian McDonald (Michelle), Kelsey Waters David (Tyler) and Weslee Waters; Great Grandchildren include Dusty, Melanie, Clayton, Lexy, Zach, Brittany and two great-great granddaughters Harper and Avery.
Graveside services will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Hawthorne Cemetery with Pastors L.D. O’Steen and Doug Queen officiating.
The family will receive friends Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Williams- Thomas Funeral Home Hawthorne, US 301 South at Lake Avenue. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Woodlawn Baptist Church 818 CR 20-A, Hawthorne, FL 32640 or to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606.
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