Deedra Waters Bennett

Deedra Waters Bennett, 40, wife of Donald Tap Bennett, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017. Affectionately known as DeeDee, she was a native Athenian and the daughter of Debbie Chambers Waters of Athens and the late John Stewart Waters III. After graduating in 1995 as Salutatorian from Cedar Shoals High School, she earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy, graduating magna cum laude in 2001. Before graduating, she married her high school sweetheart and then began working for Publix Pharmacy where she stayed for 17 years. DeeDee had lifelong passions for pharmacy, health, fitness, and aerobics, often leading aerobics classes in the morning before working a 12-hour shift. She loved many things, including traveling the world with her husband and friends, following UGA football, and spending time with her beloved kitties, Bailey and Bam Bam. She also loved, and was loved by many people, including her family, friends, pharmacy customers, and aerobics girls. To know DeeDee was to have a sister. DeeDee was polished and stylish, and she will be remembered for her strength, determination, intelligence, beauty, and love. In addition to her husband Tap and mother Debbie, survivors include: brother and sister-in-law Kevin and Heather Waters of Watkinsville and their children, Gracie and Davis Waters; grandmother Myrtle Abernathy Chambers of Athens; aunts and uncles Neil and Beth Johnson of Savannah, and Bob and Eva Feldman of Key West, FL. She was preceded in death by grandparents Emmett Chambers, Evelyn D. Durrence, and John Stewart Waters, Jr. of Claxton; and aunt and uncle Francis and Edith Morris of Pawley's Island, SC. A memorial service celebrating DeeDee's life will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at 2PM at Athens Church, 10 Huntington Road, Athens, GA, with Pastor Sean Seay and Pastor Bill Ricketts officiating. DeeDee loved flowers, but donations may also be made to the Athens Area Humane Society, 1781 Mars Hill Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Lord & Stephens West is in charge of arrangements.