Lawrence Kelly "Kelly" Waters Ph.D.

Lawrence Kelly Waters, Ph.D., 68, of Savannah, GA, passed away on February 27, 2026 due to dementia.

Kelly was born on May 25, 1957 in Savannah to Eugene and LuJeanne Waters and graduated from Windsor Forest High School in 1975.

Due to a back injury after 18 years in construction, Kelly returned to school – graduating from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 1995 with undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. He then pursued his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Mathematics from Clemson University, graduating 1997 and 2003 respectfully.

Kelly then worked as a Mathematics Professor for USC Upstate University in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he shared his love and passion for the world of mathematics and programming with anyone who listened. In 2013, Kelly experienced a massive stroke; ending his career and moving him back to Savannah.

He was known for his unique, dry humor and inquisitive mindset and enjoyed creating and listening to music, riding his motorcycle, and watching sci-fi movies and TV shows with his family, reading sci-fi books and countless math and computer programming related books; and as a Jesus Christ follower, he was an avid believer in the Bible and in finding out the truth about life.

Kelly is survived by his children Misty Petak (Rod), Hope Lam (Gavin), and Brittany Heurter (Chad); grandson Liam Lam; siblings Tracy Waters, Jr. (Gianna) and Teresa Maines; nieces and nephews Justin "JD" Maines (Prina), Jesse Waters, Tiffany Lance (Greg), and Miranda Waters (Raymond); grand nieces and nephews and many beloved extended family members.

He was preceded in death by parents Tracy Eugene Waters Sr. and Bessie LuJeanne Waters and sister-in-law Shirley Waters.

Following cremation, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 3pm at First Free Will Baptist Church at 5210 Skidaway Road, Savannah, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his beloved Habersham Branch YMCA that gave him an outlet for achieving remarkable goals during the 13 years following his stroke or Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia where he started the path toward a career that brought him so much satisfaction and fulfillment.

Dad's corny jokes may be gone from our card table, but unfortunately, we've all inherited them.