Obituaries - W

Laurel Leader Call, Laurel, Jones County MS 1980

Noted Sports Figure, Fred Walters, Dies

James Fred Walters, the former Jones County Sheriff and sports enthusiast who transformed an informal gathering of friends at a backyard cookout into a regional event attracting sports personalities from throughout the Southeast, died early this morning at age 67.

Mr. Walters died in Laurel General Hospital after a brief illness.

Mr. Walters gained national attention in 1936 when he caught a pass and ran 80 yards for a touchdown to lead Mississippi State to an upset victory over Army at West Point.

He later continued his sports career as a major league baseball player for the Boston Red Sox for one year and as manager of minor league baseball teams in New Orleans, LA, Louisville, KY, Chattanooga, TN and Birmingham AL, over a 13 year period.

Mr. Walters was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Mississippi State University Hall of Fame in 1972, honored for his collegiate and professional careers.

For 22 years he refereed basketball games in the Southeastern Conference. He officiated football games in the conferences for 20 years.

Mr. Walters was a member of Mississippi's varsity football, basketball and baseball teams from 1934-37.

Since retiring from an active part in athletics, Mr. Walters settled in his hometown of Laurel as a businessman, and part owner of the local Holiday Inn. He was sheriff here from 1956-60

His modest backyard - barbeque grew into a major annual event, the last of which drew several thousand sports enthusiasts, and dozens of major names in professional and collegiate sports including Alabama Coach Bear Bryant, New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, Oakland Raiders punter Ray Guy, Saints coat Dick Nolan and many more.

Mr. Walters ended his last cookout in May of 1979 with these words, "If the Lord's willing, we'll get back together here next year."

The funeral service for Mr. Walters will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev Homer Peden and the Rev Liam Petony officiating. Burial will be in the Hickory Grove Cemetery.

The body will be placed in the Memory Chapel at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mr. Walters is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rose Helen Walker Walters, Laurel; two daughters, Mrs. Barbara Walters Birr, Philadelphia PA and Mrs. Patricia Walters Biskey, Atlanta, GA; his mother, Mrs. Pearl Tisdale, Laurel; two brothers, Harry J. (Blue) Walters and Billy Walters, both of Baton Rouge, LA; one aunt, Mrs. I.O. (Mamie) Fowler, Laurel, and five grandchildren.

The Walters family has asked that instead of sending flowers that contributions be sent to Mississippi State University where a memorial scholarship fund will be established.

Submitted by Jan Coxey

Mrs. George Welch Obituary

An unexpected heart attack claimed the life of Mrs. George Welch, 69, at her route 7, Laurel, residence Saturday night.

She was a member of Union Line Methodist Church, and before her marriage was Eveline Craven.

Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. from Memory Chapel with Rev T.O. Matthews officiating.

Burial was in Union Line Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jackie Rogers, Fred Holifield, Donnie Ray Pitts, Buddy Riley, C.L. Bush and Harold S. Ishee.

She leaves her husband; three daughters: Mrs. Darrell Adkins, Route 3 Laurel; Mrs. Azzie Pitts, Route 7, Laurel; Mrs Grady Shedd, Route 2, Heidelberg; one brother, Buford Craven, Liberty, Texas; three sisters, Mrs. Mollie Welch, SoSo; Mrs. Maggie Watson, Ellisville, and Mrs. Ada Smith, Route 5, Laurel; 14 grandchildren; two great grandchildren and 12 great, great grandchildren.

Memory Chapel is in charge.

(*Obituary of Eveline Welch, wife of George N. Welch, date of death 14 Jan. 1961)

- Contributed by Jan Coxey