Rev. James Edgar Waters, Sr. (87) of Jesup, GA was resurrected to Jesus on Sunday evening, April 12, 2026, having peacefully gone to sleep and waking up in heaven to meet His beloved Savior face to face.

Rev. Waters was born in Baxley, Appling County, Georgia, and moved to Jesup at age 16, where he met the love of his life, Aletha Flowers, on the school bus. He was a 1956 graduate of Jesup High School, married Aletha in 1957, and welcomed four children over the next 15 years. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Edgar owned and operated the Phillips 66 on Cherry Street and the Gulf Oil station on Highway 301 before going to work at Rayonier. In 1966, Edgar obeyed God’s call to ministry and moved the family to Dayton, Ohio, then Waresboro, Georgia. In 1969, Pastor Waters moved to East Point, where he would spend the remainder of his ministry years at the East Point Church of God. In 2022, he finally retired (the second time) to his beloved Wayne County, where he enjoyed life on the farm. The story of his life was compiled into a 2018 book, Borrowed Faith: The Power of God in My Life’s Journey, a testimony of God’s faithfulness and the miracles he witnessed through his ministry years.

Known and beloved by all who knew him, he was husband, Daddy, Poppy, Uncle Edgar, “Rev,” Pastor Waters, brother, neighbor, prayer warrior, counselor, preacher, trusted confidant, and friend to all. He never met a stranger; and, if he ever said he would pray for you, rest assured you were prayed for earnestly with conviction in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Waters is predeceased by his parents, James L. Waters and O’Kella McLeod Waters of Jesup; brothers Eugene Waters of Savannah and David Waters of Jesup. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Aletha Flowers Waters; sons James Edgar “Eddie” Waters, Jr. of Odum, and Robert Earl Waters (Hope) of Jesup; daughters Susan Howell (Craig) of Sylvester, and Joy Fowler (Chris) of Jesup; grandchildren Joseph Waters (Reagan) of Newnan, Jordan Waters of Odum, Craig Howell, Jr. (Hannah) of Mt. Olive, AL, Ryan Howell (Maria) of Newnan, Aaron Waters (Maggie) of Jesup, Alex Fowler of Jesup, Josh Howell of Auburn, AL, Hope Fowler Unger (Jeff) of Athens, Anna Howell of Sylvester, and Logan Thompson Dubberly (Jasper) of Augusta; great-grandchildren Joseph Reid Waters of Odum, Amelia Rose Howell of Newnan, Romy Joan Unger, Dylan Jane Waters of Newnan, Emmanuel Oliver Howell of Newnan, Mattie Brooks Dubberly, and Craig Howell III to be born in Mt. Olive, AL in June 2026; brothers Joe Cleveland Waters (Marie) of Augusta and Edwin Waters of Brunswick; sisters-in-law Virginia F. Floyd of Jesup, Nelia F. Jeffords of Lawrenceville, and Linda Waters of Jesup; dozens of nieces and nephews he cherished as if they were his own children; and a flock of church members from his 56 years of Gospel ministry whom he dearly loved and faithfully served.

While we grieve this tremendous loss, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We know that, because we have placed our faith in Jesus, we will be reunited with him in eternity.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Jesup Church of God with Reverends Scott Hatten and Craig Howell officiating with public visitation at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery in Jesup immediately following.

Rinehart Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to thank The Church of Eleven22 for their outpouring of love and support.