Rusty Craig Waters

Rusty Craig Waters, age 63, died Sunday, November 12, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Rusty was a very loved and special baby brother to his siblings. As an Uncle, Cousin, and Friend, he was truly cherished by many.   Growing up he hunted some with his father, brothers, cousins, and uncles.  He taught his sister how to enjoy the outdoors by riding dirt bikes together. As he and his sister were closer in age, they were left at home with their beloved Grandmother when Rusty’s brothers left for college and careers.  So they were each other’s best friends and confidants from childhood.

Throughout life, Rusty continued hunting activities with very special cousins Hope and husband, Ed Edrington, and their children Angie and Lauren; Marion and husband, Bob Young, and their children, Gill and Whit; and Lennie Waters & wife, Wanda, and their children, Brian and Katie.  He also cherished his time hunting with Jeff Starcher, Keith Warren, their children, and all the many other hunting buddies too numerous to name.  Rusty was an avid deer and turkey hunter. He was the founder and manager of the Roseneath Hunt Club.  Rusty was a Pioneer in Quality Deer Management, and he very much enjoyed all aspects of these sports.  “If he wasn’t hunting, he was preparing to hunt!” was the phrase used by many when speaking of Rusty.

A special thanks to Hope and Ed for providing the farm and their home thereby making Rusty’s dreams come true!  Thanks go to Larry Pendleton, one of his oldest friends and his wife, Tommie Lou, and their children, Danford and Jordan. They played a large role in his routine life as well. Thanks to his friends GW Braxton and wife Kim and sister, Bev, who fed him many meals from The Freez. Rusty surely felt loved and included in relatives’ and friends’ family events watching the kids grow up, participating in special meals, and holiday activities always keeping him close by.

Rusty graduated from James Sprunt Community College, and his career ended in Swine Management as a Service Manager with Smithfield Farms. He retired early and focused on the upkeep of Hope’s farm and managing his hunting activities full-time.

Rusty is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Cecil Waters, Sr. and Margaret Marie Robertson Waters Phillips.

He is survived by a sister, JoAnne Waters Acri and her husband Mark of Youngsville; two brothers, Richard C. Waters, Jr. and his wife Trudy of Emerald Isle; and Randy R. Waters and his wife Joyce of Greenville and Avon; nieces, Robin Waters Woody, Lisa Swanner, Kim Mann, Christen Waters, Crystal Waters; and nephew, Brad Nunn.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 1:30pm at Sunnyside Cemetery in Scotland Neck. Immediately following the service there will be a Celebration of Life gathering at the Purvis Farm, Hwy 258, Scotland Neck. A meal will be provided by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following: National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Rd, Edgefield, SC  29824 or ECU Health Foundation, P. O. Box 8489, Greenville, NC  27835-8489, Memo:  Cancer Care Center or Transitions Life Center, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC  27607.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service ~ Letchworth Chapel will be handling the arrangements for the Waters family and online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting garrettsykesfs.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.