Thomas Benjamin "Benny" Waters

     Thomas Benjamin Waters, known by all as Benny, passed away peacefully with his sisters by his side on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Dover, DE. He was 70 years old.

     Benny was born February 21, 1948, in Frederica, DE, son of Mary Pauline Waters. At the age of two, he was placed in the home of Eleanora and George Bratcher. After their deaths, Benny remained in the home and was cared for by their daughter, Ruth Bratcher Bessix and her husband, Linzy Bessix, Jr. When Ruth Bessix became ill and could no longer care for him, he went to live with his cousin, Pauline Sullivan and remained there until his passing. 

    Benny was educated at the John S. Charlton School in Rising Sun, DE. He worked at Procter and Gamble for several years. 

     Benny loved gospel music and when he was younger, he could he heard singing "Do Lord Remember Me" and "Rough Side of the Mountain," his favorite songs. He accepted the Lord as his Savior and became a member of Holy Trinity UAME Church, Dover, DE. He loved putting together model cars and watching professional wrestling. 

     Benny was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Waters, his foster parents, Eleanora and George Bratcher, and his foster parents, Ruth Bratcher and Linzy Bessix, who cared for him until he was in his fifties.

     He is survived by his two sisters, Ida M. Waters, and Wanda M. Pierce, both of Felton; a foster sister, Ebony Bessix, of Dover; a very dear and devoted niece, Vanell Dodd; a very special and caring cousin, Pauline Sullivan, with whom he lived until his death; and his best friend Eugene Sullivan of Dover. He is also survived by other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     A funeral service will be 3:00 P.M. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934 where there will be a viewing from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Saturday. Burial will be private.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

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