Dorothy "Dot" Waters Courington

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Celebrating the life of
Dorothy "Dot" Waters CouringtonJune 03, 1919 - March 24, 2015

Dorothy “Dot” Waters Courington passed away after a long and full life on March 24, 2015. She was born June 3, 1919, in Screven County, the oldest of the seven children of Joseph Haynes Waters and Kathleen Morgan Waters. She graduated from Statesboro High School, attended Tift College, and later studied at Georgia Southern University. She was married to Roy N. Courington in 1944 until his death in 1990. While Roy served in the Marine Corps during World War II and Korea and later as a legal officer, Dot and Roy lived in Newport, Norfolk, San Clemente, Parris Island and Cherry Point before returning to Savannah in the late 1950’s.

Dot spent more than 40 years selling real estate in the Savannah area and was recognized in 2014 as a Realtor Emeritus by the National Association of Realtors. She was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club. Prior to her real estate career and her marriage into the military, she was the principal of the Edna Moon School for the children of Union Camp employees. Also, during World War II, she flew a Piper Cub airplane along the Georgia coast watching for German submarines.

In addition to running Courington Realty, Dot was passionate about the arts community in Savannah, twice winning the Thomas H. Gignilliat Award for outstanding contributions to the cultural progress of the City. She served two terms as president of the Savannah Symphony Women’s Guild, and was president of both the Savannah Arts Council and the Savannah Symphony Society. She served on the Boards of the Savannah Art Association, the Savannah Ballet, and the Savannah Theatre. Always a fan of and hard worker for the Savannah Symphony, she organized the first televised fundraising auction, which raised $60,000 for the Symphony. In 1965 when the old Desoto Hotel (a building she mourned for decades) was torn down, she helped plan a New Year’s Eve Gala before demolition as a benefit for the Symphony. Dot was also instrumental in organizing other music events for Savannah, the first Night in Old Savannah celebration in 1976 (featuring Kate Smith) and the Savannah Onstage Festival (which later became the Savannah Music Festival). In later years, she supported the new Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra.

Besides her interest in the arts, Dot served on the Board of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce from 1983-1988, and was the first woman to serve on the Chamber’s Executive Committee. In the 1980’s, she was recognized by General Norman Schwartzkoff for her efforts as the military-civilian liaison for Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and was made an honorary member of the 24^th Infantry. She delighted in a good renovation project and restored many homes throughout Savannah, some with her dear friend, Mary Hillyer. She worked to turn a private residence into the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home on East Charlton Street.

Dot’s life was rich in so many ways. She enjoyed playing golf most of her life, looked forward to Friday night bridge for decades, and she always set a lovely dinner table. She had many friends, most of whom predeceased her. She said that she had traveled to every place in the world she wanted to see. She met Ernest Hemingway once and knew Johnny Mercer well. Ever the optimist, she had a true gift of encouragement and lavished it richly on her children and grandchildren, of whom she was very proud. Dot is survived by her two daughters, Dorothy “Dottie” Waters Courington (William H. McGinley) and Kaye Newton Courington of New Orleans (Lance R. Rydberg), and by four grandchildren, Carl Eugene McGinley II (Katie Glusica), William Travis McGinley, Read Courington Rydberg and Kathryn Morgan Rydberg. She is also survived by a sister, Nan Waters Peacocke of Atlanta, and a brother, L. D. Waters of Augusta, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Dot died in Christ and faithfully worshipped at Christ Church and then Christ Church Anglican until the last few months of her life. Services will be held at Christ Church Anglican, 2020 Bull Street, Savannah, GA. on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church after the service. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, the Building Fund of Christ Church Anglican or Newcomb College Institute.

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What can I say about such a special and wonderful woman? Dot was our neighbor on 48th Street for many years and when my father driving to work would see Dot outside her house he would always stop and they would have a good chat. When I returned to Savannah after 40 years in New York and other places Dot was like a mother to me, welcoming and kind. She took my wife at the time, a stranger to her into her home for a week to help us find a rental at the beach and after an often arduous home search (I was very picky) she found us the perfect place. We loved being with her for dinners at Johnny Harris (her favorite place) and bingo nights at the Savannah Golf Club - she never won anything but had a ball. I will sorely miss seeing her at those Sunday brunches at the Golf Club. She did so much for this community and leaves a wonderful legacy and memories for so many people here. My deepest condolences to Dottie, Billie and the rest of the family.

- Charles E. Gay, Savannah, GA

Dottie and Kaye, I wish to express my sympathy on the passing of your mother. She was a very special lady and she and your father such wonderful friends to my mother and Charlie. I wish that I had had more years with my mother and for her to have been able to spend more time wither grandchildren. The prayer I send you is this passage from Numbers: Numbers 6:24-26 New King James Version (NKJV) 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ Frank

- Frank Maddox, Falls Church, VA

Hugs to all of you. What a void she has left. Love you, Ev and Perry

- Evelyn Waters Parker, Stockbridge, GA

Your mother was always such an inspiration to me. She instilled a love of the symphony to many of us as we were growing-up in Savannah. As a real estate agent, she certainly influenced many of us to be like her: dedicated professional. Regrettfully, I am out-of-town and will not be able to attend her service. May God take her into His loving arms. Thinking of you. Monica McGoldrick

- Minica McGoldrick, Savannah, GA

I give my sincere condolences to the family. Thinking of your family during this time.

- L.E. Wells, Savannah, GA

I'm so sorry to hear of Dot's passing. She was such a lovely refined Lady. I will miss her very much. Her warmth and love for others truly made this world a better place. May God Bless her family and may they find comfort in the many loving memories they have of their dear loved one.

- Dorothy B. Buschi Gay, Charlottesville , Virginia

So sorry to hear of Aunt Dot's passing. Growing up I always knew I had 2 of the most beautiful women alive for my aunts. Aunt Dot and Aunt Ruby. May God's peace sustain you during this time.

- Gary Courington, Holly Springs, GA

I am very sorry to hear of your Family's loss. If you need anything from me, please don't hesitate to ask....

- Robert Lethco, Robersonville, NC

My sincere condolences for the loss of another Waters matriarch

- Nannette Burns, Columbus , ga

Dottie, Kaye, Nan and L.D We are so sorry to hear that Dot has passed. She was such a lovely person and we feel so honored and blessed to have been included in her 95th birthday celebration. She lived such a full, meaningful life. It was a pleasure to get to know her in her later years. Our sincere condolences to the family. Lem and Janice Waters.

- Lem and Janice Waters, Evans, Ga.