Walton Lee Woodward

Walton Lee Woodward, 95 years, of Paris, Ark. died at his home March 4, 2011. He was born Feb. 10, 1916 in Branch, Ark. to Idus Pegram Woodward and Daisy Dean (Milam) Woodward. He was the fifth born child, but all of his siblings predeceased him. Walton attended the Branch and Ratcliff Schools, where he played basketball, but left school in the 10th grade during the depression in 1932 to work in the coal mines to help furnish money for food for the family. He worked in various coal mines mostly in Franklin and Logan Counties, Ark. and he was one of the oldest coal miners surviving in the area, if not the oldest. He met the love of his life, Faye Gattis, and they were married Jan. 1, 1938, (for 60 years) until her death Feb. 21, 1998. Walton is survived by his only child, Janice Woodward Calloway of Dallas, Texas; grandson, Ross Woodward Smythe (wife, Kris) and their children Ross II, Helena, Mary Elizabeth and Emma of Northfield, Mass.; grandson, Boyd Taylor Smythe (wife, Sandi) and their children Scott and Katie of Orinda, Calif.; his sister-in-law, Irene (Gattis) Ryan Houser of Paris; brother-in-law, Raymond Gattis and his wife, Elizabeth of Paris as well as many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Gene and Charlotte Davis and Gary and Patsy Eveld for their loving friendship and care for Walton over the years and Katherine Burrow, his loving housekeeper. Visitation will be at Roller Funeral Home in Paris from 4-5 p.m., Monday, March 7, 2011 and the service will be at the Roller Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Baxley Cemetery in Paris under the direction of Roller Funeral Home-Paris. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baxley Cemetery Association, %Charlotte Davis, 605 N. 7th St., Paris, Ark. 72855 or the Paris Logan County Coal Miners Memorial, c/o Pat Lee, P.O. Box 298, Ratcliff, Ark. 72951.