Recie Mae Waterman's Obituary
Recie Mae Wallace was born Jan 3, 1923 in Benton, Arkansas. She was one of seven children born to Cassie and Wayne Wallace. The best little story about her birthdate was when in her fifties, she decided to get a driver’s license, wrote away for her birth certificate and when it came back it stated her birthdate was January 4th. It was always assumed her mother knew the date and maybe by the time the country doctor recorded the birth it was a new day. She lover sharing little stories with all her family like that over the years. She also loved to tell the story of how President Bill Clinton went to her high school in Hot Springs, AR. Recie’s whole family relocated from Arkansas to California in 1939.She met and married Emmett Waterman on March 4th, 1945. He was in the Navy and for a short time they lived in Charleston, SC and enjoyed the 5 cent BLT’s on the base. They eventually moved back to the Bay Area. They shared a house in San Francisco with her sister Lela and her husband Johnny. During this time Emmett left the service and became a United States Postal Letter Carrier. They loved to play cards with them as well as her other sisters, Alta and Dagmar. They eventually bought a house in San Mateo and after many years of waiting their first child arrived, Sharon Lee. They were blessed with five more: Carol Ann, Brenda Kay, Ellen Sue, Jill Fay and finally that baby boy, Douglas Emmett. This kept them busy and the years passed. Recie was a homemaker but like to tell the stories of different jobs she had over the years from making sandwiches with her baby sister Alta, to a holiday job at See’s Candies, working nights only lasting a week, but her love of See’s Candies never wavered.In 1987 Recie and Emmett moved to Ceres, CA where they hoped to enjoy Emmett’s retirement in a brand new house. Sadly, Emmett passed away in 1989. After a few years of living alone she moved back to Livermore, CA where she enjoyed ten years at Arbor Vista Retirement Village. She was able to play bingo, bonko and socialize and live independently. At the age of 88 it was time to move on and she moved in with her oldest daughter, Sharon, back in VA where she was loved and cared for. She had children, grandchildren and great grandchildren around her constantly. She even made a new four legged friend, Teddy, until Teddy became very ill and it was discovered he was eating Recie’s chocolate when she would fall asleep. Recie loved a simple life. She loved to play cards, work puzzles and read. She also loved to go to Reno to play the slots. There were a few trips to Vegas, too.Her biggest heartbreak was losing her daughter Carol Ann in 1996. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, with one more great grandchild on the way. One of her greatest qualities was patience. She loved to play card games or any kind of games with the children or even just sit and let them take all the items out of her purse and name them. She could tell stories for hours.Recie will be dearly missed by all who loved her. This world was a better place with her kind and generous heart. We know Recie is happy to be resting with all her family who have gone before her.Recie’s request was that Memorial Donations be made to the charity of your choice.
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