Donn Lee Walters

Reverend Donn Lee Walters died on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the age of 65. He is survived by his wife, Amelia Walters; his children, Brad Walters, Sarah Gardner, Ben Walters and Elaine Lund; his parents, Ralph and Alice Walters; his brothers, David Walters and Jerry Walters; and his five grandchildren. Rev. Walters was dedicated to working with children and families, blending his experience with Christianity and social work to reach out to people from all backgrounds. He was as at ease with the clients of his ministries as he was with the donors who supported them. Born in Wisconsin, Rev. Walters graduated from the University of Evansville and simultaneously earned a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Seminary and a Master in Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago's Jane Addams School of Social Work. Rev. Walters was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Little Rock in 1975. He served as the Executive Director of Presbyterian Urban Council for 24 years and as the Executive Director of the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home for seven years. Since 2002, he worked as the Clinical Director, Admissions Director and Director of Therapeutic Foster Care at Methodist Children's Home. As a minister, Rev. Walters served as Stated Supply at First Presbyterian in Stuttgart, Allison Memorial Presbyterian in Little Rock and Sylvania Presbyterian in Ward, before finding a home with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Little Rock in 1991. Rev. Walters believed that children are a gift from God and that he was called to do the very best job of raising troubled children in the most healthy, nurturing environment possible. He felt that children's family troubles made his work doubly vital as they looked to his ministries to help give them safety, love and guidance to make their lives whole again. He found this challenge both humbling and rewarding. He extended his ministry into the community by serving on the boards of Stewpot, Presbyterian Urban Council, Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center, Arkansas Homes for Children, Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home, Our House, Arkansas Planned Parenthood, Battered Women's Shelter, Crisis Center, United Way FEMA and Homeless Committees, Rice Depot, Life Quest, Arkansas Impact Common Cause, SCAN, Arkansas Criminal Justice Ministry, Arkansas Public Policy, KABF public radio and the Arkansas Special Needs Adoption Committee. He was a member of the Task Force to Support Public Education in Arkansas, the Arkansas Interfaith Council, the Arkansas Philanthropy Association and the Coalition against the Death Penalty. He was active with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association of Social Workers and the Legislative Committee to Establish Ethics. As a member of the Presbytery of Arkansas, Rev. Walters was involved with the Board of Religion and Labor; the Presbyterian Church Professionals; the Committee on Ministry; and the Education, Self Development of People, Polity, Witness, and Hunger Committees. He served as adjunct staff to the Social Justice Committee for the Presbyterian Synod of the Sun. Rev. Walters volunteered in Pulaski County and Little Rock public schools and taught as an adjunct professor at the UALR School of Social Work and as a certified teacher for Child Abuse Investigation and Treatment for the Arkansas State Police. He also served as a volunteer chaplain at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. A fan of mystery writers, Rev. Walters was known for his collection of hats and ties, as well as his love for all people, his generosity, his sense of humor and his optimism. Donations in his memory may be made to Methodist Family Health, Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home & Family Services, Westminster Presbyterian Church, or Arkansas Hospice. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock on Friday, April 27, at 1 p.m. All are invited to share their memories of Rev. Walters at www.DonnLWalters.com. Please visit www.ARcremation.com to sign the online guest register.