Mrs. Cora Atwater

Cora Reese Atwater was born April 16, 1931 and passed away into perfect peace on May 28, 2018 at the age of 87 years. She was the sixth of thirteen children born in Iberville, Louisiana to the union of Rev. Harry and Oweaner Reese. Cora attended McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, LA and upon graduating moved to Seattle, WA to live with her sister, Katherine. While in Seattle, she worked at the U.S. Army base. While on base, Cora met Joseph Atwater. The couple married in 1952 and moved to Saginaw, MI to start and raise a family. They were blessed with four children, Clarence Dale, Kenneth Wade, Bernard Van and Anthony Leroy. After moving, they joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church and became very active members. Cora became a Sunday School teacher, sang in the choir for over 60 years, she was a member of Body and Soul, and a member of the First Responders Ministry. She truly loved her Pastor and church family. Cora was a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital for several years before retiring in 1988. Being a nurse came easily to her because she thoroughly loved helping others. Her kind soul and nurturing spirit were a perfect fit for the job. Cora spent more than 50 years of her life in Saginaw forming everlasting friendships and bonds with everyone she met, but, “home” for her was always Louisiana. She took advantage of every opportunity to go home to visit her parents, brothers, and sisters. Whenever she was planning a trip, she would always say with a smile, “I’m going home for a little while.” Now, she wears the biggest smile, because she is truly home with the Lord in heaven, reunited with her husband, parents, siblings and other family and friends. Cora was a kind, considerate and generous person. She will be remembered for many things, including her Christ-like character, good deeds, service to her church and community, and in her house, you were guaranteed to hear her singing gospel hymns as if no one else was around. Mrs. Atwater touched many souls and will be greatly missed by all. She is survived by her four loving boys, Clarence, Kenneth, Bernard (Kim) and Anthony (Pam); seven grandchildren, Kyneth, Kyle, Andrea (Eric), Christopher (Leticia), Rasheed, Victoria and Anthony; two great-grandchildren, Jayda and Joseph; three sisters, Alma Walker, Lou Littlefield (Al), and Hilda Lucas; four brothers, Lawrence Reese (Pearlie), Joseph Reese, John Reese, George Reese and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Atwater was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Atwater; her parents, Rev. Harry and Mrs. Oweaner Reese; one grandson, Rashad Atwater; one brother, Lee Roy Reese; three sisters, Katherine Smith, Ethel Mae Criddle and Dorothy Hughes. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Mt. Olive Missionary Institutional Baptist Church, 1114 North 6th Street, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Marvin T. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Cora Atwater

April 16, 1931 - May 28, 2018