Carolyn Sue Waterman, 65, died Wednesday, March 27, in Manteca.
Born in Modesto to Bob and Mary Dell Briggs. Sue was a resident of Manteca since age two, attending Lindbergh and Lincoln schools before graduating in 1966 from Manteca High School, where she dated her sweetheart, Jim Waterman. Two months after finishing high school, the two of them were wed at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on August 27, beginning the first of their 46 years of marriage together.
Sue began her teaching career as an assistant at New Haven Elementary School, then obtained her teaching degree with a straight-A average from Stanislaus State while teaching at United Lutheran Preschool. She began her full time teaching career in 1984 for the Manteca Unified School District. Teaching primarily kindergarten and first grade at Lathrop and Brock Elliot Elementary Schools. Sue shaped young minds and hearts for twenty-one years, before retiring in 2005.
A longtime Christian and active member of St. Paul’s Church, Sue served as President of United Methodist Women and was an active participant in the Dinner Bells. She also generously volunteered her time weekly at Nearly New, and was a member of both the Calaveras and Mother Lode Mineral Societies, where she raised funds and served on the committee, awarding college scholarships.
In retirement, Sue also enjoyed making and selling rock and bead jewelry side-by-side with Jim. Sue loved teaching and trading ideas to fashion new styles of beading and chain maille jewelry. Ever creative, Sue also designed and made beautiful greeting cards for all occasions.
Sue will be missed dearly by her family. She is survived by her husband Jim; mother Mary Dell; children Lisa and Mark; and grandchildren Bailey, Ben, and Sam. Lisa followed in her mother’s love and service of children, becoming a teacher in Manteca like Sue. Mark, her eldest, is a litigation attorney in Los Angeles. In recent years, Sue delighted especially in watching her grandchildren grow and learn new things, taking particular joy in teaching and watching Bailey make necklaces.
Services for Carolyn Sue Waterman are under the direction of PL Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca. Vistation will be Thursday, April 4, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home in Manteca. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 5, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at the corner of Powers Avenue and North Street in Manteca. Burial will follow at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Road in Escalon. An online guestbook is available at www.plfryandson.com.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, March 30, 2013
