Thomas Vondell Walters

Thomas Vondell Walters passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at South Central Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, after a lengthy battle with heart/lung disease and cancer. He was 86 years old and a faithful member of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma “Kay” Craft, of 59 years as well as his parents Judith “Juddie” Lamanda Shows and David “Dave” Vander Walters, as well as ten siblings: Agnes Russum, Kenneth Walters, Cleo Turner, D.J. Walters, J.M. Walters, Howard Walters, Julia Culpepper, Odell Walters, Josephine Scruggs, and Jean Walters. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Byron) Walters and his son, David (Dee) Walters; five grandchildren, Kayla Walters, Ashlee (Landon) Johnson, Leslie (Tristan) Laypath, Jacob Morgan, and Kathryn (John) Sullivan; and four great granddaughters, Sadie Johnson, Paisley Laypath, Lynlee Sullivan, and Sophie Johnson. He is also survived by a multitude of extended family and friends. Known by some as “T.V.”, he began his 30-year career with the federal government at the postal service and later retired as a food inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture. In retirement he began his second career spraying pecan trees, growing vegetables, and operating a feed store in Shady Grove. During his years running the feed store he provided the community with feed, seed, plants, livestock supplies, and most importantly free advice on all things agriculture as well as his opinions on many other subjects. After turning the feed store over to his son (David), he took care of his wife, Kay, during her many years battling cancer. It was also during this phase of his life that he spent much of his time working on his tomato crop and making a large dent in Louis L’Amor literature. Vondell spent his entire life rooted in the agriculture industry from the time he was a young boy farming with his family to the last years of his life passing down that love and knowledge to his family. He was truly devoted to God, family, and work. Memory Chapel is in charge of arrangements with Bro. Aaron Parker and Bro. Joe Watson leading the service. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and the funeral will be Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11:00 am. The graveside service will follow immediately at Union Line Cemetery in Soso. Pallbearers will be Andrew Adamo, Tad Walters, Gregg Russum, Justin Walters, Brent Culpepper, and Daniel Tucker. All other nephews and great-nephews will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Thomas Vondell Walters

July 24, 1938 - December 17, 2024