Jr. Claude C. Waters

Claude C. Waters, Jr., 68, passed away October 26, 2020 in Lawrenceville, GA.

“Buggie Keyters” was born July 26, 1952, and was the first child of Claude “Sonny” Waters and Josie Marie Waters. When Josie died December 23, 1958, she left her three sons Claude Jr. “Buggie”; Warren Anthony “Babe Brother”; and Kevin Renord “Squirrel” to be raised by their Aunt Odessa “Mama Dess” and Uncle Jeff “Daddy Jeff” Williams in the 54th Street, Mozier Township, Dunbar neighborhood.

Claude was educated in the Kansas City Public School system attending Graceland Elementary and Southeast High School. In 1970 he completed training as a Certified Nursing Assistant at KC Technical School. He received his Associate in Arts degree from Longview Community College in 1997.

Claude and Don were fortunate to cross paths in 1978 and immediately formed a lifelong bond with each other. Their love for and commitment to each other was apparent to all who knew them and in 2014 they exchanged vows to also be a couple in the eyes of the law.

Claude was eager to make his way in this world and started working at the age of twelve cleaning silverware at the Muehlebach Hotel. With his CNA in hand, he began a long career in health care at the nursing home on 70th and Cleveland, across the street from the family home so that he could work and keep an eye on what was happening at the house with Warren and Mama Dess. Claude remained committed to their care and well being throughout their lives. He moved on to work at Lakeside Hospital, Children’s Mercy, KU Medical Center and for fourteen years at Humana Health Care rising to Supervisor of the Urgent Care program at the Wornall Medical Center. His last job in health care was at Trinity Hospital Rehabilitation Services teaching life skills to patients with brain injuries. At Don’s urging, Claude changed career paths in 1997 and began working for the IRS. In Kansas City, he served on the Black Employee Special Emphasis Program Committee, the Service Center Site Committee, as a Board Member on the Association for the Improvement of Minorities (AIM) and was a Union representative. Claude, Don and Warren moved to Atlanta, GA, in 2002 where he served as an EEO Counselor until his retirement in 2007.

Claude loved life, people and experiencing new things. As a young man, Scouting was a big part of his life. He was a Cub and Boy Scout and went on to be the Scout Master of Troop 99. He was the health care director for Camp Nash Scout Camp in 1976 and 1977. He was inducted as a medicine man in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, an honor society recognizing his scouting achievements. From 1994 to 1998 he served on the Board of Directors of the Good Samaritan Project, a help program for people living with HIV-AIDS.

Buggie loved being in church and was always an active participant. Claude was a member of Wills Chapel AME from birth. At the age of fourteen he joined his Uncles’ growing church Good Samaritan Baptist. He later returned to worship with his many family members at Willis and served as a Pastor’s Steward, Steward Usher, Choir Member and Missionary. Claude became a member of New Bethel AME church upon moving to Atlanta in 2002 and leaves many cherished friends at New Bethel. He was on the Usher Board, participated in the Healing Hearts and Congregational Care Ministries and worked in the Community Outreach Center that offers free food and clothing to those in need.

Claude reached out to family and friends by sending cards for any and all occasions. He was a friend to all, including every employee of every store he shopped at. He enjoyed arranging flowers, was a good cook, and loved giving parties big and small. He was always ready to play bid whist. Later in life he enjoyed learning to play the piano and took lessons. He had an acting career and was an extra in two movies, Robert Altman’s “Kansas City” and Regina King’s “Let the Church Say Amen”. Claude and Don travelled extensively beginning when they first met, making many life-long friends along the way.

Proceeded in death by his parents, Claude C Waters Sr. and Josie Marie Waters; stepmother Marion Jo Waters; aunt Odessa Williams; uncle Warren Williams; brothers Warren Waters, Kevin Waters, Kip Bonds Sr. and Bobby Fuhr; sister Rosalind Clark; grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins each of which Claude loved with all of his heart.

Left to cherish his memory are his husband Donald Keyton; mother-in-law Shirley Dougherty; stepmother Mattie Finks, sisters Claire Karnofski (Ron Autry); Gale Waters; Sally Shoemaker (Bob); Susan Keyton (Bob Campbell); Kim Bonds-Fuhr; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends.

Visitation will be 3-5PM, Sunday, November 8 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd. Services will be private; burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be 3-5PM, Sunday, November 8 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd. Services will be private; burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.