Peggy Karen Waters, 79, of Hickory, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Springs of Catawba Assisted Living facility.

Karen was born on March 22, 1945 in Akron, Ohio. She was the second child to the late Everett Hughes Waters and Virginia Carlton Waters. She retired from Waters' Barbering and Hairstyling in Windy City of Viewmont, Hickory, NC where she worked for many years alongside her partner and older brother, Fred H. Waters who shared co-ownership of the barber shop with Karen. Being a barber was Karen's lifelong passion and profession as she had many men and women patrons. Karen and her older brother, along with their third barber, Chris Jenkins, received recognition in the local newspaper for their barbering and hairstyling skills as they won the "Best Barbershop" in Hickory 4 years in a row. They displayed their banner proudly outside on the shop's marquee.

Karen also had a passion for photography, softball and basketball. She was very active in athletics and proudly played on the basketball first string at Kings Creek High School girl's basketball team.

In addition to her parents, Everett and Virginia Waters, she is preceded in death by her brother, Frederick Hughes Waters and half-sister, Phyllis Walker Jolly.

Those left to cherish Karen's memory are her brother, William Max Waters (Bessie) and sister, Ena Waters Holman (Jim); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she cherished and adored. Since Karen had no grandchildren of her own, she always said her nieces and nephews were the grandchildren she never had. Karen had a loving, generous, big heart and was the spice of life at every family holiday event. She had her own unique personality and shared her friendship with many of her neighbors and acquaintances. Karen loved the Lord with all her heart, and had been active in the work of the Lord in previous years.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Goode, Rev. Gary Waters, and Rev. Bob Wheatcraft officiating.

The family will receive friends at 1:00PM, one hour prior to the service, at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kings Creek Baptist Church at 4698 Kings Creek Church Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is assisting the family.