Claire R. Waters' Obituary
The Symphony of Her Life…
Claire Rebecca McCaleb Waters, born in Elmwood, Ohio, was the second daughter of William Ross and Dora Buckner McCaleb. Their blended family included two girls and two boys and they made their home in the Walnut Hills area of Cincinnati.
Claire enjoyed a comfortable life as a youngster. At the tender age of 6, Claire received a surprise gift from her parents - a piano. Thus began her lifelong love for music. She first played for Sunday School at Allen Temple Methodist Church in Cincinnati, the McCaleb’s home church, and soon became the lead organist.
Upon graduation from Withrow High School, Claire studied music as a full-time student at the University of Cincinnati, Conservatory of Music. She eagerly blended into the college scene and pledged for the AKA Sorority. Her gift of music endeared UC faculty and she enjoyed teaching piano as well as writing musical scores.
Interestingly, during a school performance for which she assisted with the music production, a group of singers from the Hampton Institute in Virginia (now Hampton University) performed. One member of that quartet (“The Virginians”), William (Bill) Waters, noticed Claire and made way to introduce himself. At the time, she was pledging for her sorority and not permitted to speak to young gentlemen. However, conversation occurred and they soon began dating. The couple later eloped - since Claire’s mother was not enthralled with the young Hamptonian, originating from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and not from a prominent Ohio family. She soon accepted her new son-in-law and opened her home to the newlyweds.
Notably, The Virginians were originally members of Hampton’s Glee Club. They later formed a quartet and travelled and performed extensively – including two occasions at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Unfortunately for Claire, racial discrimination hit home and she was ejected from the University at the end of her junior year. This resulted from the school’s discovery that she was colored. She remains very disappointed that her education ended so abruptly. Much later, actually in the year of Claire’s 100th birthday, the school issued a formal apology.
In the early 1940s, Bill and Claire moved to the New York area with their first child, Brenda, searching for employment. At that time, Negroes – even college graduates - were not accepted into unions and Bill sought work as a printer. In 1945, Claire gave birth to their second child, Rosanne, in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Not long thereafter (1947), Bill and Claire moved to the Riverton Houses complex in Harlem, New York. The following year, Claire gave birth to son Bill, their last child. Still a musician at heart, she became the organist at St Marks Methodist Church in Harlem, serving there for over 15 years. She also played concerts and accompanied her husband at various singing engagements. Claire was busy! - tending to her family while also playing for the Mabel Hart Dance School in Harlem. And, she operated and taught at her own music studio for many years, as well as teaching and inspiring many children in the Riverton.
In 1971, Bill and Claire moved to his hometown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to care for his aging Mother. Even in Maryland, Claire and Bill eagerly shared their love of music by performing at numerous church events. Music was the mainstay of Claire’s life. She was sought after to serve as church organist and choir director at several area churches. The Waters opened their home to new music students and a host of new friends and family.
Claire and Bill were inseparable and shared a love to travel, entertain and cook. Both could burn! And were renamed JimLee and OraLee by daughter Rosanne… for their expertise in the kitchen. No one ever left hungry! They were the traditional couple – devoted lovers of family, nuclear and extended.
Claire and Bill were a strong team: adventurous, ever-evolving as the world around them changed. No one was a stranger! Around 2002, they moved to Laurel, Maryland, in full retirement mode and enjoyed being closer to family. As always, they quickly made new friends.
Bill and Claire were married for 73 years at the time of Bill’s passing in 2011. Through the years, he lovingly referred to Claire as his Child Bride. Claire cherished his memory and their life together… Despite their devotion to each other, the storms of life hit hard – no one expects to outlive their children. They lost both daughters to illnesses in the prime of their lives – Brenda in the 1970s to kidney failure and Rosanne to cancer in the 90s. Though devastated, Bill and Claire were comforted by their faith and the strong arms of family.
In 2011, Claire celebrated her 100th birthday. Family and friends near and far joined in the celebration hosted by granddaughter Rashida and husband Demetri. It was a grand time! Claire was elated to spend the afternoon reminiscing about times past and was sincerely grateful to again be surrounded by those she loved.
On February 15, 2014 Claire transitioned peacefully at Golden Living Nursing Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is remembered as a devoted and loyal wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Mrs. Waters was preceded in death by husband, William Waters, Sr. and daughters Brenda Damon and Rosanne Patterson. To cherish her memory are her son William D. Waters, Jr. of Fredericksburg, Virginia; granddaughters Rashida J. Tyler (Demitri) of College Park, Maryland and Jill R. Waters of Lusby, Maryland; great-grandchildren DeKare and Maya Tyler and eternal daughter-in-law Joan C. Waters of Charlotte Hall, Maryland; as well as a host of extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Christ’s Church in Waldorf, Maryland.
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