Robbie "Burnell" Waters

Burnell Waters, 90, of Beaumont, passed away on January 14, 2022, at her home.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 19, at Sabine Tabernacle in Beaumont. Officiating will be Reverend Jimmy Boykin. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Claybar Kelley Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont.

Born in Beaumont, Texas, on July 19, 1931, she was the daughter of George Burnell Whittenberg and Robbie (Cannon) Whittenberg. Burnell was a member of Sabine Tabernacle for over 85 years. She answered the call to love God and love others. Burnell served in ministry to those young and old through leading children’s prayer meetings, teaching Sunday School for 53 years, and visiting nursing home residents. She provided godly counsel to many, and her door was always open. God blessed her with a prosperous career in selling life insurance at Magnolia Life, another avenue she often used to witness the love of Christ. Burnell was a mother to many and had a numerous and diverse group of lifelong friends. At the end of her life, Burnell was blessed to have her dear friend, Beverly Martinez, care for her at home for many months. As we reflect upon her life, we thank God for her steadfast faith and treasure the spiritual heritage she imparted to all of us.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Robbie Whittenberg; husband, Paul Waters; brother, Jimmy Whittenberg; sister-in-law, Bobbie Johnson; and son and daughter in law, Jon and Sharon Waters.

She is survived by her children, David Waters and wife Carol and Lisa Dalton; grandchildren, Robbie Robichau, James Phillip Dalton, Paula Stockman, Renee Conn, and Daniel Waters.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy Ellis, Jason Robichau, Daniel Waters, Wade Prince, Glenn Worthey, and Pat Broussard. Honorary pallbearers are James Phillip Dalton and Bobby Towne.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Altus Hospice for the compassionate care given for the last 2.5 years. To Cassandra Alpough and Angela Kithler, there just aren’t words to express our appreciation for the gentle and loving care you provided our mother and the support and reassurance you provided to our family.