Mark Earnest Waters, 70, passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at his home in Enterprise, Alabama, surrounded by loving family and friends. 

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, September 11, 2023, at First United Methodist Church of Daleville with the Rev. Lee Jones officiating and Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PAN Foundation, P.O. Box 716408, Philadelphia, PA 19171, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. 

Mark was born June 13, 1953, the son of Norma and Edwin Waters of St. Petersburg, Fla.  

He grew up exploring the ocean and inland waters of the Tampa Bay area with his dad and friends, and developed a lifelong love of the water and fishing. His memorable fishing adventures have been the topic of many humorous stories told by his fishing buddies through the years.

Delivering newspapers on his bicycle route and performing various other jobs as a teen revealed a strong work ethic that would lead Mark to a 44-year career with McDonald’s.  

He began work with McDonald’s in Conyers, Ga., shortly after graduation from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg.

He eventually worked his way up to store manager positions in Eufaula and Andalusia before becoming a franchise owner for the Luverne and Opp McDonald’s locations. Mark operated the Luverne McDonald’s for 20 years, and was recognized by McDonald’s for more than four decades of service.

Although he was a diligent businessman, Mark was a hands-on manager and enjoyed interacting and serving customers. Years after he managed the Eufaula McDonald’s, while on a trip to Enterprise for business, a former Eufaula customer recognized him. She called his name and laughed.

“I recognize that laugh,” he said to her. “I remember that I used to call you ‘Angel’ when you came in the store.” With that, Mark had reconnected with Elise Blanton and found the love of his life.

Mark and Elise have been inseparable from that time, even though their love has endured many overwhelming trials. Tragedy struck even before their wedding when Mark had a near-fatal accident that left him in a coma for weeks. Elise was his fierce champion through months of rehabilitation. At their 2007 wedding, Mark rose from his wheelchair, stood for the first time since the accident, and exchanged vows with Elise.  

The battle to recover from brain and debilitating physical injuries was waged for years by both Mark and Elise, and he enjoyed some years of limited mobility even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about nine years ago. 

With his dedicated and encouraging wife at his side, Mark bravely combatted the progressive disease to the end. He often said his superpower was his ability to battle Parkinson’s. 

Combined with Mark’s own courage and determination, the Christ-like love Elise showed him daily gave him strength to fight the good fight. Their love through the years has been a beautiful testimony and an inspiring example.

Mark didn’t let his disability keep him from attending church, socializing, shopping and enjoying special activities about town and traveling. He loved quiet time at home with Elise, but he also delighted in entertaining family and friends with his unique sense of humor and quick wit.

He is remembered as a great husband, dad, grandfather and friend.

Mark was a member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church and in recent years, Daleville First United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Waters.

Mark is survived by his wife of 16 years, Elise Waters; two sons, Lance (Amber) Hobbs of Daleville, and Jared (Nicole) Hobbs of Albany, OR; four grandchildren, Tarja Hobbs of Daleville, and Titus, Raiden and Beau Hobbs of Albany, OR; a sister, Shirley Novelly, and a great-niece, Josey Novelly, of North Redington Shores, Fla.

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