Ruth Mae Walters Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ruth Mae (Foster) Walters December 26, 1938-June 18, 2023 Born to Aubrey Dalton (A.D.) and Lucy Mae (Smith) Foster on December 26, 1938, this fiery ball of sass and energy, known affectionately as Goofus, rarely slowed down by choice. Throughout her life she was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and a precious friend to countless individuals. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was fun and funny, and a joy to be around. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, A.D. and Lucy Foster; her husband of 63 years, Gid Lee Walters; one infant son, Michael Lee Walters; two brothers, George Dalton Foster, Kenneth Eugene Foster; one sister, Mary Ellen (Foster) Turner; one grandchild, Anna Parker. She is survived by her children, son, Alan Keith Walters (Sandy) of Flower Mound, TX, daughters, Lisa Ann Dooley of Dexter, MO, Mary Ellen Wilkerson (Wes) of Paragould, AR, and Melvia Like (Michael) of Paragould, AR. Her grandchildren are Alan’s children, Kendall, Brenna and Campbell, Lisa’s daughter, Tara, Mary’s son, Hunter, Melvia’s children, Aaron, Austin, and Jessica. Her great grandchildren are Jessica’s children, Josie, Jaycie, Jessalyn, Austin’s daughter, Adeline. Ruth is also survived by three brothers, Virgle Darel of Clarendon, AR, Tobie Joe (Connie) of Rosie, AR, and Robert Leon (Frances) of Locust Grove, AR and many, many loving nieces and nephews and a church family that knows no number. All who knew her loved her immensely for her quick wit, tender spirit, and her honesty. The family is so grateful to Sheila Wilkerson, Mary’s mother-in-law, for all the help, companionship, and friendship she shared with Ruth. She was a great friend and caregiver throughout the difficult adjustment to widowhood and all the way to the final days of constant care. She was a true friend and sister in Christ. The love of her life, her husband, Gid Walters, was a minister for the Church of Christ and she spent her life helping him in his ministry as his secretary, typist, fact checker and sounding board, while she was also raising her children and fostering other children. She was teaching Sunday School and ladies Bible classes long before computers, pre-printed crafts and teaching aids, so she made them all by hand with hours of tracing and cutting out take home materials. She was constantly giving everyone who knew her a part of herself. She and her husband were missionaries in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, West Africa. As well as many states across the southern states. They opened their home to countless people who needed help and were available as sitters for children, young or old. Ruth was an extraordinary seamstress. If you could describe it, she could make it. Thousands of yards of material and threads passed through the needle of her sewing machine. She was an accomplished crocheter and made many beautiful projects that became gifts to those she loved. Her gardening and plant skills were amazing. Flowers and plants loved her touch. Ruth spent many hours canning and preserving food for her family and friends. She also loved to paint. Even after arthritis nearly crippled her hands, she spent many hours painting portraits and landscapes for her family. She loved working puzzles and playing board games. And, if you ever played “Aggravation” with her, you knew she had amazing “skills” to win the game! More than anything else, though she loved her children and would do whatever it took to give them the love they needed, whether it was reading to them, making a “Batman” costume, creating beautiful clothing or just provide a listening ear. She was firm, but full of compassion, and so proud of her children and loved her grandchildren fiercely. Ruth was a woman who treasured her relationship with people, but never put those relationships before her heavenly Father. She lived her life on this earth with the express purpose of going Home to live with her Jesus and you can almost imagine her now, honoring her Lord by placing her crown at His feet, praising Him for His blessings on her life while singing and celebrating her Homecoming with her loved ones in Heaven. Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8

Ruth Mae Walters

December 26, 1938 - June 18, 2023