Walter Marvin Atwater

Walter Marvin Atwater died peacefully September 12th in the family home where he was born and raised.  After 96 blessed years, he was with all four children as he drew his last breath. He was born to Marvin and Isma Andrews Atwater on October 31, 1925 (sharing a birthday with his father). He worked on the family farm and worked various jobs, including at the Cotton Mill in Carrboro before he entered into the Merchant Marines at age 19.  He married his cherished wife, Anne Eubanks, and they built a house for their future family beside his parents in Chatham County. He provided a safe and happy home for his growing family by working as a carpenter building houses and then additionally completed a correspondence course in electronics which led to a job with IBM.  As he worked, he took care of the family farm, huge vegetable gardens while being a foundational member of Cedar Grove Methodist Church, all while he and Anne raised the family and cared for his parents and community.  When he retired from IBM he purchased a sawmill then eventually a larger sawmill. He, most often along with his son James, cut, dried and planed wood for many grateful friends and neighbors.  He and Anne also sold vegetables and baked goods at the Carrboro Farmers Market for years.  He also sold vegetables to several area restaurants.  He took great pride in his “Silver Queen” corn, “Ambrosia” cantaloupes, and especially “Pink Girl” tomatoes.  People would actually drive to see how pretty the garden would be that summer.  He led an exemplary life of honest, hard  work, impeccable Christian values, and a great love for his family and friends. Anyone that was lucky enough to know him, loved and admired him for his straightforward, no nonsense attitude and marveled at the wonderful couple that he and Anne were. Preceded in death by his parents, his faithful wife of 72 years, Anne Eubanks Atwater, brothers; William, Alfred, Roy and sister Eugenia Humpheries.  Survived by his children; Alana (Gene) Finney of Kannapolis, James (Jeanett) Atwater of Salter Path, Beth (Pete) Junquera of Benson, NY and Maria (Dwayne) Hendrix of Clemmons. He was blessed to have nine wonderful grandchildren and 14 precious great grandchildren.  Graveside Services will be held on Friday. September 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Grove UMC, 2791 Jones Ferry Road in Pittsboro, NC 27312.  The family will receive friends inside the church at 1:00 p.m.  Donaldson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Atwater family. Tributes can be left at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.