Joy Price Waters

Joy Price Waters, 67, of Aiken passed away peacefully December 9, 2023. She was born June 1,1956 in Aiken, SC to Leviah Rae Riddle and the late John W. Price. Joy was a 1974 graduate of Aiken High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Middle School Education and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. She then received her Special Education Certification in OI/OHI (Orthopedically Impaired/Other Health Impaired) from the University of Alabama. Joy was a special education teacher for 40 years, teaching at various schools in Aiken and Jackson (South Carolina), McDonough and Augusta (Georgia), and Birmingham and Mount Olive (Alabama).She loved trying new restaurants, cooking delicious meals, spending time with family and friends, enjoying Hallmark movies, interior decorating, and connecting with her students. Joy fully embodied her name and had a gift for listening and making everyone feel like they were loved, accepted, and important. She was a joy to everyone she met, exuding warmth and love to all of her family, friends, and students. She strived to make a positive difference in the life of every student she taught. Joy made it her responsibility to show her students unconditional love and acceptance as well as encourage them to always do their best and be the best they can possibly be. Her hope for her students and herself was to make a distinct mark on the world and make it a better place in which we all can live. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her brother Johnny Price (Cheryl), her son Dana Waters V (Kira), her daughter Katrina Townsend (Nate), and granddaughter Leona Waters. Several other relatives also survive. A private graveside service will be held at the Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family would like to express deep gratitude to Enhabit Hospice,Hands of Life Home Care, and Daybreak Adult Care Services for the excellent and compassionate care they provided to Joy and her family. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the following charities in Joy’s memory:Golden Harvest Food Bank BackPack Program: https://tinyurl.com/8vh5mt52 Aiken Outreach: https://tinyurl.com/ypfevfxk