Hope Star....Obituaries

Grady Walton, Jr.

Hope- Grady Lee Walton, Jr. 56, of Hope died Monday, February 18, 2008, in a Texarkana hospital. He was born January 9, 1952, to Grady and Rosie Walton.  He was a member of Garrett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and a 1970 graduate of Hope High School.  After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Vietnam and the Arkansas National Guard.  Later, he joined the Hope Fire Department Station No. 1 and became Hope's first black firefighter.  He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 427 and was a retiree of Red River Army Depot.  He was preceded in death by his father, Grady Walton; one sister, Pearline Walton, and one son, Dedrick L. Walton.

     Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Elaine Walton; three daughters, Charnetta L. Walton, and Takia E. Walton, both of Hope, and Latonya Baker and Nick, of Lafayette, La.; two sons, Korey D. Walton,of Hope, and Michael Walton, of Wichita, Kansas; seven grandchildren, and his mother Rosie Walton, of Hope.

     Also,six sisters, Jewel Crockett, Queenie Walton and Patricia Moore and Jackie, all of Hope, Mary L. Meeks and Vernon of Prescott, Shirley Lee and Jerry, and Mary C. Ragland, all of Texarkana; four broghers, James Walton and Teri of Council Bluff Iowa, Thomas Walton and Erma of Nash, Texas, Joe Maxwell of Dequeen, and William Walton and Shearetta, of Dallas; one aunt, Geneva Hearths and Jack of Omaha, Neb.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     Visitation will be held Sunday, February 24, from 3-5pm at Hicks Funeral Home.  Services will be Monday, February 25, at 11 a.m. at the Garrett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Charles Kidd officiating.  Burial will be in Cavehill Cemetery in Hope under the direction of Hicks Funeral Home.