Josephine Waites, age 91, of Mary Esther, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home on May 12, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Mrs. Waites was born on March 18, 1935, in Bagnoli, Naples, Italy, to Ciro Galizia and Anna De Martino Galizia. She attended Catholic school in Bagnoli, where mathematics was her favorite subject.

She worked in her parents’ Italian store and bistro as a waitress, where she met the love of her life, John Franklin Waites. The couple married in Naples, Italy, on April 15, 1954.

Shortly after their marriage, Mrs. Waites journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to reunite with her husband in Uniontown, Alabama, before eventually settling in Montgomery, Alabama. Upon her husband’s retirement from the Montgomery Fire Department, they moved to Mary Esther, Florida, where they raised their seven children.

Mrs. Waites had a deep love for cooking, which naturally led her to employment as a cook with the Okaloosa County School System and at Saint Mary Catholic School.

Of all the roles she held throughout her life, however, her most treasured was being “Memaw.” Caring for her grandchildren brought her immense joy and became one of the greatest blessings and proudest accomplishments of her life.

Mrs. Josephine Waites is survived by her children, Jo Anne Lindsey (late Jimmy Lindsey) of Mary Esther, Janice E. Seilhan (Jude Seilhan) of Fort Walton Beach, Jerome W. Waites (Paitoon) of Destin, Jacqueline K. Seilhan (Carl) of Freeport, and Jimmy F. Waites (Daniel Simpson) of California, Carol Waites (daughter in-law) along with her beloved grandchildren, JoAnna (Ryan), Bubba (Jolene), Jenna (Brandon), Jared, Tonya, Julie, Lori (Jack), Jillian (Kyle), Christian (Amber), Jamie (John), Jacob (Holly), Jessica, Carlton III (Alicia), Joshua (Mackenzie), Jeremy. And great grandchildren, Julianna, Jorja, Josie, Jackson, Abby, Cole, Griffin, Ryleigh, June, Finley, Jordan, Kolbi, Joelle, Joanie, Carlton IV, Juliet, Avery, Jace, Jayden, Janie, Brantley, Hazel, Bethany, and great-great grandchildren, Ruby, Tucker, Stetson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Waites, and her sons, Johnny W. Waites and Jerry L. Waites.

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