Grace Waters Obituary

Grace Waters "Gracie"
AIKEN - Grace "Gracie" Simpson Waters passed peacefully at 12:23 pm, July 23, 2025 after a brief attempt at recovery from a recent accident.
She was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Roy Simpson and Ellen Mange Sillisen, and from that moment of birth until just last Wednesday, she was the epitome of not only physical beauty but also an inner beauty that would shine all her days.
She and Jerry were married on August 27, 1981 in the historic Millbrook Baptist Church chapel in Aiken.
At death, she was accompanied at her bedside by her loving husband and caring family; Lisa, Hank, Kyle, Robbie and Robert.
Gracie is survived by her husband Jerry, daughter, Lisa Adams; son, Hank McCullough, (Cindy); son, Jason Waters (Joy); grandchildren, Archie Kyle Adams (Ainhoa Rivera); Grayson McCullough (Hannah); Jackson Waters, Jocelyn Waters; great-grandchildren, Aaron Adams, Aitor Adams, Haven Gray McCullough.
She is also survived by her sister, Robbie Wilson (Robert); sister, Elaine Mulder (Dave), Brooke Sierra (Jeremy), Chase Mulder (Nadine); niece, Jenni Stevens; grandnieces, Presslie and Olivia Stevens; cousins, JoAnn Mange (Gene) and Woody Mange (Gail). She is also survived by the father of her children, Thomas H. McCullough, Jr. (Tonia).
Gracie excelled even in early life, never having any childhood diseases. She was even a Brownie and Girl Scout at an early age, when, believe it or not, she was described as a tomboy!
Always physically fit, and in high school, of course, she was a cheerleader. She was noted for doing continuous cartwheels from goal post to goal post. In her senior year at high school, she was voted to receive every one of the Senior Superlatives of her class. (She was asked voluntarily to keep only two Superlatives for the record.)
After college and a short stint in Hampton, SC, she moved to Aiken in 1967, where she met her first best friends in Aiken, Ellen Herring and Jean Elliott Ayers. She was immediately involved in any and everything because of her type "A" personality. From school assistants and many other projects. While working at the County Property Records Office, she became interested in her real calling.
In 1976, she became a Real Estate Agent. Immediately, she excelled due to her numerous attributes: a long list of personal contacts and organizations; her personality and honesty, which enabled her to never meet a stranger; her meticulous attention to detail; and her ability to consistently build networks.
In 1985, Gracie and four female partners formed THE REAL ESTATE SHOPPE COMPANY, which was recognized many times as being the most successful all-female real estate firm in South Carolina.
For many years, even though she was a top sales and listing agent, she found time for other civic duties. She served several terms as President and fundraiser of the Aiken County Heart Board; she also served on Advisory Boards for Bankers First, Aiken Tech and several others. Several times she served as President of the Aiken County Real Estate Association. She mentored many new agents coming onto The Real Estate Board.
Even though busy as she was with real estate, she was a full-time homemaker, excellent cook and daily "caregiver" for Jerry.
After her accident on June 17th, her charming ways made many friends in the hospital and Aiken Regional Hitchcock Rehab Center, where Marion Sackel volunteered on her days off work to assist when Gracie came home.
As much as Gracie enjoyed dining with friends, her real passion was the family covered dish get-togethers on all holidays and even some "made-up" occasions. Gracie was an excellent cook and her covered dishes were sure to be uncovered!
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 2, 2025 at St. John's Methodist Church. The Revs. Dr. W. Timothy McClendon and Grayson "Butch" Blackwell will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service in Ward Hall. Private interment will take place in Central Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Archie (Kyle) Adams, Kelsey (Troy) Adams, Grayson, McCullough and Jackson Waters. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gracie's business partners. Note: These partners celebrate the opening date in 1985 of The Real Estate Shoppe each year. They just met on June 10th, 2025 for a fun-filled evening! Honorary Pallbearers will be Ruth Alexander (John), Shirley Felak (Dave), and Gail Gingery (Bill).
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Central Baptist Church Building & Grounds Fund, 1652 Wire Rd., Aiken, SC 29805.
Last Wednesday, July 23, 2025, this world on earth lost the ONLY GRACIE that it will ever see. She has gone on to that perfect Heaven and will try to make it even more perfect. "Gracie, you are loved by so many and will be missed by all the people who ever knew you!" - Jerry Waters
SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801.