Mila H. Waters

OBITUARY – MILA H. WATERS

It is with equal parts heartbreak and concern that we announce the passing of Mila Holton Waters, aged 93 — a woman who defied the odds, common sense, and the advice of literally everyone until the very end. She had more lives than a cat and we are concerned she might even need to be tied into that coffin, or she is coming back, especially if she knew we were “messing with her stuff” at the house. She escaped death more times than we can count and always bounced back. She survived cancer, a house fire, several falls and several surgeries that would have taken anyone else down.

The child of Mary Phillips Holton and Alvin Holton Sr., Mila was born on January 2, 1932, in Lyons, Georgia. She came into this world as the first of identical twin sisters (something she was always proud to mention), opinionated, and already in charge — traits she honed to perfection over the next nine decades. She was a proud busybody (“just curious” as she would say) and part-time meddler depending on what the neighbors were up to with their yard, but they all loved her so much and overlooked her opinions. If there was something she had to say, she said it — usually in front of everyone, and without a filter. And if there was something she shouldn’t be doing, she was absolutely going to do it just to prove she still could.

She was a woman who lived life her way, stubborn as a mule but also worked as hard as one, too. She took great pride in staying busy. Retirement was a word she happily ignored. After her official retirement following a 40 year career with Printpack, Mila went back to work for 24 years at Cobb County Schools System. In the little bit of free time she had, she enjoyed sewing, gardening, yard work, and general busy-ness.

When you live to be 93 you lose a lot of loved ones before your own death. Such was the case with Mila. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wilbur Waters, son Rick Waters, stepmother Cassie Mosely Holton, twin sister Ila Holton, and brothers Orland Holton and Alvin Holton Jr.

Mila is survived by daughters Sandra Tully and Fay (Jimmy) Norris, “second son” Johnny (Kathryn) Dunn, brother Hilton Holton, grandchildren Cassandra (Brian) Buckalew, Joshua (Monica) Dunn, Tabitha (Kyle) Clark, Ricky (Stephany) Waters, Ashleigh (Erik) Conatser, and six great-grandchildren: Aniston Clark, Adeline Waters, Charlotte Waters, London Waters, Phoenix Conatser, and Beckham Conatser. She is also survived by her niece Jean Bullock, along with many other nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Mila never missed an opportunity to say, “I told you so,” and she never sat still, always plotting her next move. She believed in getting things done the right way, and by that she meant her way. She took orders (and suggestions) from no one, questioned everything, and powered through life like a speeding train, often taking the rest of us reluctantly along for the ride. She will be missed more than words can say — though she’d certainly try to correct this obituary if she could.

Memorial contributions can be made to Concord Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1430 Mableton, GA 30126.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Screven County Memorial Cemetery.

Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home, Joiner Anderson Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.