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Minnie Wade Clark Atwater, 96, of Macon, died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 21, 2023, following complications from a hemorrhagic stroke in November 2022. Daughter of the late Willard Maxwell Clark and Elizabeth Philips Clark, she was born in Savannah, Georgia, on February 9, 1926. While in Savannah, she enjoyed spending her time with her family around the marshes and discovered the quiet peace of fishing. However, her extracurricular activities did not detract from her academic prowess, as she skipped a grade in school and later became a member of the first National Beta Club at A. L. Miller High School, graduating in 1943.
During the remainder of World War II, she worked at Warner Robins Air Force Base in the Department of Transportation. She then married her high school sweetheart, William Elridge Atwater, Sr., on April 30, 1945. They started a family together, welcoming the births of Bill and Deborah in 1946 and 1951, respectively. Ultimately, Minnie Wade and Billy would go on to celebrate more than 75 years of marriage.
In addition to being a wonderful and caring mother of two children, she was a substitute teacher and served as president of the PTA at Alexander IV Elementary School. She would later go on to work as a probation/intake officer for the Bibb County Juvenile Court for more than thirty years before her retirement. Dedicated to the service of others, she was also an active member of Soroptimist International and served as president of the local chapter. As a woman of strong faith, she remained a member of Vineville Baptist Church since moving to Macon as a young girl.
Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, and other needlework, reading, completing crossword puzzles, and playing other games that kept her mind sharp throughout retirement. As an avid baseball fan, she watched the New York Yankees, often quoting Yogi Berra, before becoming an Atlanta Braves fan. She also traveled, often on family vacations and cruises. Anywhere she went, she loved to listen to music and dance if the opportunity presented itself.
Mostly, she enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family and friends, and she was always very proud of her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchild’s accomplishments, big and small. She taught them all so much. “Minnie Ma” loved and was loved. Even though she had several health challenges in her later years, she was fearless and a fighter. She loved life.
Her family is deeply grateful to her community of support and for the loving care she received from her caregivers over the past two years: Bridgett Davis, Whitney Clark, Brenda Truss, Marcia Mathis, Louise Smith, Tondra Nelson, Gayle Peavy, Nina Bloodworth, Janique Singleton, Talisa Coleman, and Niesha Brooks.
She is survived by her children, William E. Atwater, Jr. (Linda) of Hollywood, Florida, and Deborah Ann Atwater McQueen of Tallahassee, Florida; grandchildren, Elizabeth “Betsy” McQueen of Pensacola, Florida, and Dr. Katie McQueen Amaker (Daniel) of Macon; great-grandson, William “Billy” Monroe Amaker; grand stepsons, Darren Dyson (April) of Dania Beach, Florida, and Sean Dyson of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; nephew, James Robert Atwater, Jr. (Nancy) of Macon, and niece, Elizabeth Heffner (Ron) of Birmingham, Alabama.
Mrs. Atwater was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Clark Trimble Calloway, and her husband, William Elridge Atwater, Sr.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at Hart’s Mortuary on Cherry Street with Mr. Kent Russell officiating. Burial will be at Macon Memorial Park. Flowers are appreciated, and memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Society, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, or Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Ave., Macon, GA, 31204.
Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.
Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Minnie Wade Clark Atwater, please visit our floral store.
Vineville Baptist Church
2591 Vineville Ave, Macon GA
Tel: 1-478-743-9366
Web: http://www.vinevillebaptist.org/index.php
American Stroke Association
PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284