On Thursday, December 31, 2020, our Sister-in-Christ, Stephanie Bennett-Waters, threw off her earthly chains & troubles and transitioned from work to reward! Stephanie Michelle Bennett-Waters, our much-loved friend, cousin, aunt, sister, daughter and mother was born to the late James Henry Mathis and the late Wilma Jean Bennett on December 22, 1972, in Adel Georgia, where she accepted Christ and received personal salvation from a young age. Stephanie was known by everyone as a brilliant child, who never gave any trouble and always had a playful, joyous spirit. She can still be fondly remembered playing outside and running through the fire hydrant's spray in the summertime with her brother, Fredrick, and cousins, Felicia & Charles, who, according to all who knew them, were more like brother & sister, and sometimes going to visit her father, sister, Jody, and step-mother, Bernadine, in Pennsylvania. After the untimely passing of her mother, our dear aunt, the late Gwendolyn Bennett, stepped in to raise Stephanie and Fredrick as siblings alongside her own children, a promise made and a promise fulfilled. "Step", as she was affectionately known by those who loved her, attended Cook County Schools and was a 1991 Graduate of Cook County High School and, a true beauty, inside and out, she was crowned Homecoming Queen during her Junior year. After graduation, Stephanie attended Southern Regional Technical College in Tifton, Georgia and earned a degree and certifications to be a Medical Assistant, which she used every day for the last twenty-two years working at Tift Regional Medical Center. We will never forget remember Stephanie's calm spirit and legendary sense of compassion. Stephanie was known for big laughs at small jokes, a love of travelling, her complete devotion to her three children, Amber, Kalia, and Hernando "PJ", and, we will all smile when we think of how much she loved her grandson Kylan, nephew Jax, and god-daughter, Jayla. Undoubtedly some of our favorite stories about Stephanie call to mind how she lived the Gospel every day of her life, there was never any need for "Bible-beating" or vain scripture touting, because our sister's life was a testament to how seriously she took her salvation, God's own grace, her love for people, her love for her Church, New Life House of Praise in Tifton, Georgia and her relationship and love for the Lord. Every one of us has a story about Step being much too sweet to those who really deserved a taste of sour, but, we'll chuckle knowing that is quite simply who she was and the ministry she embodied. It can never be understated how even short trips back home to see family, will never be the same, since Step's transition, as one of her favorite things was to spend time with loved ones. Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, Willie & Josie Bennett and Lester & Virginia Mathis; and devoted aunt, Gwendolyn Bennett. She leaves to cherish her memory her three children, Amber Turner, Hernando "PJ" Waters, Jr., and Kalia Waters all of Tifton; grandson, Kylan Jackson and special in-laws, Andrew & Pearlie Waters of Chula, GA; brother, Frederick Bennett of Lenox, GA ; sister, Jody Mathis, devoted step-mother, Bernadine Mathis, and nephew, Jax Anthony Brown, each of Gettysburg, PA; special cousins, Felicia "Tiny" (Ernest) Dawson of Lenox, GA, & Charles (Erica) Nelson of Lexington, NC; special aunt, Charlene Gibson; special friend, Hernando "Nando" Waters, Sr; God-daughter, Jayla Tuff; a whole host of aunts & uncles, and a multitude of cousins.