Mary Alice Holland Waters, 103

CAMBRIDGE - Mary Alice Holland Waters, daughter of the late Charles and Mattie Banks Holland was born in Church Creek, on Feb. 27, 1905.

She passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Chesapeake Woods Nursing Center at the age of 103.

Mary received her education in the public school in Church Creek, and later moved to Cambridge, where she remained during her lifetime. Her husband James (Jimmy) Waters preceded her in death. During the 1940s she and her husband owned and operated a restaurant on Pine Street.

After his death Mary worked in the local canning factory. She was an excellent cook and believed in feeding her neighbors and friends, along with her family.

She became a member of Bethel AME Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Tillery and continued as a faithful member and worked diligently as a Missionary until her health declined, and she was the oldest member until her demise. She was also the oldest member of the Dorchester Progressive Temple 224.

Her brother, Russell Holland and her daughter, M. Elizabeth Sampson preceded her in death as did two sisters, Elizabeth Mowbray and Lena McClain.

She is survived by a daughter, Darlene Waters Smith; grandchildren, Valerie H. Miller and her husband, John H. Miller Sr., Pamela E. Waters, Olandas N. Waters Sr. (Cassandra) and Kassia Pulley; four great-grandchildren, Tadrian, Olandas Jr., Kenneth (A.J.), Briahyana and Shaw; a great-great-grandson, Ezekiel; a special niece, Pensi Mowbray; one nephew, Josef Tucker; a great nephew, Domonic Tucker; Godchildren, Tovolia Carter, James (Jimmy) & Anna Dixon, Jean Pryor, Larry Stevens, Daphne Sanders, Delores Perry and Vanessa Sharp and a number of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, at Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, with a viewing one hour prior to the services. Elks services will begin at 12:15 p.m. Burial will follow in Old Field Cemetery.

The Henry Funeral Home, PA in Cambridge is handling the arrangements.

Letters of condolence may be sent to www.henryfuneralhomepa.com