Carol Elaine Waters, 79, of Stet, died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Life Care Center in Carrollton.

Carol was born on January 11, 1945, in Rockingham, the daughter of Floyd "Sam" and Eula (Nicholson) Hawkins.  She was united in marriage to Darryl Lewis "Jake" Waters of Stet on June 23, 1962; he preceded her in death on July 30, 2021.

Survivors include: three sons, Jerry (Jonetta) Waters of Stet, Steve (Leslie) Waters of Kansas City, and Paul (Kimberly) Waters of Paola, KS; nine grandchildren, Jessica (Zach) Stith, Joshua (Erin) Waters, Danielle (Tyler) Roesing, Holly (James Doyle) Waters, Erik (Milea) Waters, Sydni (Troy Isenhour) Waters, Brooke (Daniel) Clark, Luke (Brittney Ramsey) Mathews, and Hannah Mathews; fifteen great grandchildren, Caleb Stith, Dillon Oyler, Finley Waters, Gentry Waters, Lillian Waters, Isla Waters, Tristan Roesing, Jacob Roesing, Haylee Doyle, Kye Doyle, Brystal Clark, Delaney Clark, Jaxton Mathews, Landon Mathews, and Carsten Mathews; four sisters, Joyce (Jonny) Coats of Stet, Debbie (Dave) Cline of Hardin, Karen (Rick) Hass of Parkville, and Donna (Tom) Mertz of Gardner, KS. .

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Dale Hawkins.

Carol was reared and educated around the area of her birth and graduated from Stet High School in the Class of 1962. In addition to raising her family and helping on the family farm she worked outside of the home for several area banks. Her biggest passion was living the farm lifestyle and music. The Waters family is well known in the area for their musical talents and for Carol, it was being an accompanist for local school children in competition, providing piano lessons, playing for funerals, weddings, local celebrations and as church pianist for years, not just at one church, but double duty at both Bethany Church of the Brethren and Union Baptist Church. "Music has always been a family affair." When mom and the boys all sang together, they were known as Jake Waters and the Drips. She also enjoyed quilting.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Bethany Church of the Brethren, Wakenda Cemetery, or Stet Fire Department.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Wakenda Cemetery north of Hardin.  Please remember to share your memories of Carol with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.