Natalae Waters "Junie" Parker

Natalae Waters “Junie” Parker died peacefully in her home on September 24th after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Born on August 10, 1944 at the U.S. Air Force Base Station Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida to parents Major William Emory (Muddy) Waters and Natalae Strickland Waters, she was proud to be a lifelong resident of Atlanta.

Junie, as she was affectionately nicknamed when her brother, Emory, had trouble pronouncing “Natalae, Junior”, grew up on Peachtree Battle Avenue and walked each morning to school at E. Rivers Elementary. Junie graduated from the Westminster Schools in 1962 and went on to attend Mount Vernon Women’s College in Washington, D.C., where she pursued a degree in Fine Arts. Upon finishing at Mount Vernon, she then enrolled at Emory University where she graduated in 1966 with a degree in History.

Her most treasured memories involved summers spent in Valdosta and various parts of South Georgia with beloved cousins “Sis”, Eleanor, Francis, Frank, “Bubba”, and her brother Emory. This included sleepovers on the sun porch of the family home on Twin Lakes, playing until sundown at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, crabbing off the bridge onto Sea Island, or riding up the intercoastal waterway on her Uncle Julian’s house boat.

Junie was a lifelong servant and dedicated herself to charitable endeavors across Georgia. For many years, she tutored young children hospitalized for extended periods at Egleston Children’s Hospital, as well as served on their Board of Volunteers. She also devoted many years to volunteering at the Atlanta Speech School, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and the Atlanta History Center. She served as a board member for Food Security of America where she led initiatives in metro Atlanta to increase food accessibility and financial resources for those less fortunate. She also served as a board member for Epworth by the Sea, a Methodist retreat on St. Simons Island that her family was instrumental in founding. Most notably, Junie was a longstanding member of Northside United Methodist Church, where she served faithfully at Wednesday Night Suppers, church picnics, and arranged many church field trips. In addition to coordinating transportation, meals, and medical appointments for those in need, she steered a deeply personal ministry caring for the sick and elderly of the church. Her faith in Christ was the central tenant of her life and guided how she lived in every way.

She was a member of the Cotillion Club of Atlanta, International Debutante Society, Atlanta Debutante Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, League of Women Voters, the Junior League of Atlanta, the Delta Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and the Piedmont Driving Club.

Junie was an avid and life-long traveler, visiting more places across the globe than could be mentioned, however she always felt like her heart belonged in Italy. She spoke often of her last visit in the spring of 2023.

While Junie spent her life serving and loving others, her family always held center stage. While she never had biological children of her own, she was a mother figure to many and affectionately referred to Kate Faenza Koch as her beloved daughter. She loved Kate in the most holistic and complete way that any great mother would. Her most cherished title was “Mimi” to Kate’s children. She was an ever-present figure at events for her grandchildren, as well as her cousin’s children, attending sporting events, horse shows, grandparent’s days, baptisms and celebrations of all kinds.

Junie is preceded in death by her parents Major William Emory Waters and Natalae Strickland Waters, and her beloved cousin Mary Louise “Sis” Hailey. She is survived by her daughter Kate (Marshall) Faenza Koch and their children Emerson, India, Clementine, and Sarai, her brother William Emory Waters, Jr., cousin Eleanor (John) Strickland McGowan, cousin Francis (Tommy) Strickland Hatcher, cousin Rankin (Amanda) Hailey and their daughters Mary-Mac and Kaki, cousin Julian (Holly) Hailey and their children Reed (Alyssa), Porter (Joci), and Claire, her godson Mark (Melissa) Jagor and their son Tripp, cousin Mary Clarice (Jeff) Hathaway and their children Jeffrey, Jr. (Christina), Lucas (Morgan), Jennie, Tyler (Katie), John Parker, and Laney, cousin Eleanor (Parrish) Clark and their children Ansel, Ella, and Natalae, goddaughter Laura (Will) Oliver and dear friends Christy & Bob Faenza, along with numerous other cousins and close friends that she adored. Junie left a legacy through the lives that she touched and in the Atlanta community that will endure for generations.

Services to celebrate and honor the life of Junie will be held at Northside Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 11am, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Northside Methodist Church in Atlanta at https://www.northsideumc.org/give and Food Security of America at https://foodsecurityforamerica.org/donate/