Celia Frances Waterbury

Celia Frances Stewart {C C} Waterbury, of Gulfport, MS, with her family at her home, was called to her Heavenly home on February 1, 2025.

Celia was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Robert E. Waterbury of Gulfport, MS, on January 17, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, also of Gulfport, MS, Alvah T. Stewart Sr. and Gonzula Nelson Stewart; her brothers, Alvah T. Stewart Jr, and William L. Stewart, both of Gulfport, MS. 

Celia is survived by her five children, Bobby Waterbury (Lynne) of Clinton, MS, Kathy Waterbury of Jackson, MS, Beverly Payne (Reece) of Norfolk, VA., Margaret Shore (Bob) of Gulfport, MS., and Scott Waterbury (Jill) of Brandon, MS; her grandchildren, Jenny Buchanan (Philip) of Madison, MS, Katie Hoggatt (Philip) Madison, MS, Christy Payne and Mathew Payne of Norfolk, VA., Michael Shore of Clinton, MS., Erik Shore (Adrienne)of Gulfport, MS., Zachary Shore (Cassidy)of Gulfport, MS., Kyle Waterbury of Starkville, MS., Alex Waterbury of Brandon, MS. and Andi Waterbury of Brandon, MS; her great grandchildren, Kade Buchanan., Jackson and Tyler Hoggatt; her sister, Doris Jean Kitch of Gulfport, MS; along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

Celia was born in Gulfport, MS on Feb 20, 1934. She met her husband, Bob, while he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS and they married on June 23, 1952, while Bob was still in active service. They were stationed in Biloxi and Kansas City, Kansas. Bob finished college and in 1958 they began a long career of government service with the IRS. They spent two years in Greenwood, MS., and relocated to their final residence on the coast in 1960. They spent these years only two blocks from where Celia was born. 

CC had a strong belief in her Lord and was a Beginners Sunday School teacher and mentor at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Gulfport for years. Not only was CC a talented homemaker, but she was also a hard worker. She cared for both of her aging parents in their last years when they had difficult disabilities and were home bound. She was a dedicated wife to a successful husband in his career. She provided after school /summer care for her grandchildren which was one of the joys of her life. She managed multiple households. As a gifted artist she hand -painted a multi-room, floor to ceiling mural of animals and religious scenes on Broadmoor Baptist Church nursery walls. It has long been adored and admired and is still there today. She was a skilled seamstress and made many of her children's clothes. She excelled at hand painting colorful art on furniture pieces which have adorned many of her children's homes. She collected rocks from around the nation and enjoyed her rock garden and working in her yard. She took pleasure in the young children around her and was wise in her instruction and counsel of all that were in her life. She made a difference and an indelible imprint on all of her family. Her stories and humor will be dearly missed.

A visitation will be held for family and friends at 12:00 pm on February 8, 2025. Services will begin at 1:00 pm and Interment will follow at Coalville Cemetary in Woomarket . Riemann Family Funeral Homes of Gulfport, are serving the family.