Mary Elizabeth Newkirk Waters

A life well lived…

God-fearing, nurturing, compassionate and resilient are words that describe the characteristics of Mary Elizabeth Newkirk Waters. She was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, to Willie Mae (Grier) Newkirk and Love Newkirk on June 16, 1927. Southern-born and northern-raised, her family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when she was 10 years old (she often recalled picking cotton with her mother as a little girl). At birth, she was named Mae Lizzie after her great aunt Lizzie Mae. A teacher, thinking that she was too pretty for her given name, began calling her Mary and changed her name on official school records. To relatives and friends, however, she was known as “Mae,” though to many she remained Mae Lizzie.

She met and married David J. Waters as a teenager and they were married for 75 years. During her early years of married life, she stayed home and raised their six children. As they grew older, she began working at Polyclinic Hospital to help pay for her children’s college education, retiring after 25 years of service. Mae said that she was shy and did not talk very much. In time, she overcame her shyness and amazed herself at how she loved connecting with and learning about people of all ages.

Mae was warm, friendly and kind to all who knew her. She was a homemaker and a baker who opened her heart and home to family, friends and neighbors. The Waters’ home was affectionately known for its hospitality, especially after high school football games. In addition, she was known for her down-home cooking, homemade dinner rolls and delicious cookies during the Christmas holiday.

She was baptized at an early age and joined St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Franklin L. Henley. There, using her beautiful soprano voice, she sang in the choir. Later, she joined her husband’s church, Trinity Church of God (Harrisburg), where she attended and found great joy.

Known to many in her later years as “Miss Mary,” she became a trusted source for advice and friendship with the young and old. It was not uncommon for her and her husband to open their home to people who needed temporary housing. She kept a phonebook and would often go through it to check on family and friends over the years.

She loved flowers and plants, and her children and friends often showered her with them. Always conscious of her health, she joined a women’s gym and walked regularly to stay in shape. She also enjoyed doing word searches, watching Family Feud, and reading The Upper Room and Reader’s Digest. Even as her health declined, she remained determined to maintain her independence.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her seven siblings, her husband David, Sr., her eldest son David, Jr. (Bunny), granddaughter Tracey M. Waters, great grandson, Laquan Smith, and great great grandson Claijon Tolbert-Bundy. She is survived by her daughters Carol W. Jones, Camden, New Jersey, Sharon L. Waters, South Orange, New Jersey, Deborah L. Waters and Yolanda L. Waters, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and a son, Melvin E. Waters, Sr. (Karen) of Oxen Hill, Maryland and daughter-in-law Joyce Waters; eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, nine great great grandchildren, special nieces Zulene and Love (Linda) Newkirk, and a host of relatives and friends.

Mary's life will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025 in the Sanctuary of Trinity Church of Harrisburg, 244 Harris Street with viewing and visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and burial in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.