Ray C. Walters

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Jan. 3, 1934 – Feb. 3, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for Ray C. Walters, 78, of Roxie, who died Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Promise Hospital in Vidalia after a lengthy illness, will be at 2 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Thomas Wicker of Victory Baptist Church in Enterprise officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Walters was born Jan. 3, 1934, in Natchez, the son of Jerry Walters and Nancy Artman Walters. Ray was educated in Adams County at Kingston Elementary and Natchez High School. He joined the U.S. National Guard and was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict at Camp Antabury in North Carolina. He was a member of the prestigious “American Legion.”

After his discharge, he returned home to Natchez and was employed by International Paper Company where he worked for 42 years, retiring in February 1995. On his days off, he farmed, cut and bailed hay, logged and worked cattle for others. He was a very busy and active man and noted by some as a workaholic.

After his retirement, he continued with his gardening and loved sharing his bounty with others. He had a wonderful green thumb. He fished, hunted and dearly loved driving his John Deere tractor accompanied by his dog friend, Josie Marie, who misses him very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jeffery Walters; and four brothers, Lewis, Howard, Raymond and Johnny Walters.

Survivors include his loving wife, Linda Walters of Hamburg; two sons, Eddie Walters of Brookhaven and Jerry Carpenter of Tabernacle, N.J.; three daughters, Sara Delaughter and husband, Steve, of Brookhaven, Belinda Moore of Natchez and Sonja Baker of Hamburg; seven granddaughters, Angie Prather and husband, Bryant, Stephanie Parks and husband, Darryl, Misty Moak and husband, Eric, all of Brookhaven, Corban Smith, Spring McKenzie and husband, Ronnie, all of Hamburg, Farrah White and husband, Gerald, of Natchez and Jaime Carpenter of Pompano Beach, Fla.; three grandsons, Charles Anderson of Vidalia, Jeffery Anderson and wife, Emily, and Jerry Carpenter III of Tabernacle; six great-grandsons, Michael and Bradley Prather of Brookhaven, Haven Smith of Hamburg, Shannon White of Natchez, Bryce Anderson and William Anderson, both of Vidalia; six great-granddaughters, Bridget Anderson of Vidalia, Hannah Smith of Hamburg, Bailey Parks, Mattie and MaLane Moak, all of Brookhaven, and Kirstin White of Natchez; two sisters, Margie Ogden of Natchez and Betty Brown and husband, Gerald, of Laurel; special nephew, Jerry Ogden; his very best friend, Buddy Anderson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Ray will be greatly missed by all who lived him. May God bless you all.

Pallbearers will be Will Anderson, Bradley Prather, Michael Prather, Darryl Parks, Eric Moak and Ed Conn.

Honorary pallbearers will be Stacey Wallett, Freddie Sandel, Joe Springs, James W. Smith, Freddie Cooper and other co-workers and friends of International Paper Company.

A special heartfelt thanks to Dr. Barry Tillman and the other physicians that attended to Ray, and to a loving, nurturing and very competent staff of intensive care nurses.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.