THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408050258
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Janelle LaBouve
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
It was Azarie Waters' grandfather who first taught her about the preparation and use of herbal medicines.
``He removed the bark from a certain tree. Then he'd boil the bark and use it as a remedy for goiters,'' she said.
Her grandfather, who was born into slavery, used prickly pears and the bark of the slippery elm to ease certain skin infections.
From her mother she learned practical lessons, like the importance of an education. She says she has been a student for most of her life, earning a doctorate from Virginia Tech in 1983. She plans to take another class in September.
``My mother tried to do things at home to earn some money so that she could stay at home with us,'' Waters said. In addition to sewing and doing laundry for the public, her mother gardened.
``My mother's philosophy was, wherever you are, always have trees and grow vegetables so you can ward off hunger. While I was growing up, I think our house must have had an X on it, because people always stopped by for a meal and Mother gave them canned green sweet peas and other vegetables to take home. I always have fruit trees and a garden. Now it's a part of my philosophy.''
Full name: Azarie G. Waters
Birthdate: May 3, 1927
Grew up: ``I was born in Orlando, Fla. We moved to Valdosta, Ga., when I was 4.''
Childhood memories: ``I remember singing with my mother. She sang all the time while she worked. And playing with my sister Kathleen. I was a real tomboy.''
Spouse: Sidney Roscoe Waters
Children: ``The Rev. Paula Jean Waters and David Christopher. David is the service manager at Colley Avenue Bicycle Shop.''
Retired from: ``A diplomat in clinical social work. That's the highest you can go. I'm a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. It's an international organization. The last place I worked was Norfolk Public Schools as a visiting teacher and social worker from 1963 to 1991. Prior to that, I worked at Norfolk Social Bureau in child welfare, public assistance programs and special projects.''
Hobbies: ``I am taking piano lessons at Old Dominion University and at Tidewater Community College. I took lessons when I was a kid. At that time the cost was 10 cents for a lesson. I took a computer music class. It is more than piano. You can make the keyboard sound like a symphony. The class that I took included up to 16 instruments. You read the melody notes and add the chords. I'm taking piano lessons because I sing and want to be able to accompany myself. I'm one of the original members of Chesapeake Civic Chorus and the secretary of the organization. Sometimes I sing with my voice teachers, Dolores Pritchard and Agnes Fuller. I sew and do a little upholstering. I help Sidney with his art. I do gardening. I like writing prose.''
Last book read: ``I'm reading a fascinating book, `The College of Life of Practical Self Education.' It was compiled in 1910 by William H. Seward, who was then the Secretary of State. It is a manual of self-improvement for Afro-Americans.''
Favorite song: ``I really like `Great Is Thy Faithfulness' and `Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.' ''
Can't resist: ``I can't resist taking a stand for the things in which I believe, no matter how unpopular they are. I just love food. My husband is on a low-sodium diet, and my cholesterol is high, so I use a low-sodium, low-cholesterol diet. I can't resist shopping and buying clothes I do not need.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I'd probably change my hair from gray. But I would want it to be natural, not dyed. I'd like a higher energy level, then I could go hither, thither and yon.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``Being a parent and being recognized by the `International Who's Who in Community Service in 1970.' ''
Favorite TV program: ``The morning news.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``When we go to a restaurant, it would be Locks Pointe.''
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Increased population vs. the services necessary for them.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``I enjoy being with friends.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Azarie Waters is taking piano lessons so she can accompany herself
when she sings. She's one of the original members of Chesapeake
Civic Chorus.
by CNB