Obituary of Margaret Walters

Margaret Walters, 91, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at her home. Margaret was born on July 21, 1924 to George Charley and Oral Jane (Sloan) Exum at Thayer, Kansas. She was the second child of three brothers and four sisters. She attended a rural grade school which had the first eight grades (1-8) and no Kindergarten. Kindergarten did not exist in those days. When a student turned six, they would start in the first grade. She graduated from Westphalia High School and later in life she graduated from Kansas State Teachers College which is now known as Pittsburg State University. Margaret met Les Walters and their life together began from a double date. After many dates they were married on September 14, 1946 in Oswego, Kansas. They had six successful children that they have been very proud of. Following their marriage, Margaret and Les lived in Parsons but were transferred to Coffeyville in 1958 and they have resided in Coffeyville since that time. They attended the Central Avenue Christian Church in Parsons and transferred to the First Christian Church in Coffeyville when they moved. Margaret and Les worked with the youth and taught Sunday School and were ardent workers of the First Christian Church. They both served as deacons and enjoyed serving on the Worship Committee. Besides being an outstanding homemaker, Margaret was very proud of being an elementary school teacher for 35 great years. Margaret always wanted to be a teacher but that desire had to be put to one side as she reared and worked with six children and all of their individual activities. She also loved doing all of that, too. She returned to teaching in 1961 and retired the same day as her husband on May 31, 1990. She touched many lives. Enjoying their retirement, Margaret and Les traveled, visited family, read and watched television a lot; and, worked for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center as volunteers. They were always busy and Margaret loved to bake cookies for her family. Margaret was also a member of the NEA and KNEA. Surviving to honor her memory is her loving husband, Les of the home; children, Janice (Curtis) Harshaw of Grand Prairie, Texas; Carol (Ron) Mitchell of Caney, Kansas; Leslie Jo (Lee) Mansker of Coffeyville, Kansas; David (Paula) Walters of Coffeyville, Kansas; Jerry (Judy) Walters of Chanute, Kansas; Mark (Diane) Walters of San Francisco, California; eighteen grandchildren; twenty nine great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother, Jim Exum of Clovis, California; sisters, Elaine Homan of Ajo, Arizona and Carolyn Childers of Rogers, Arkansas. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Coffeyville. Pastor Gordon Willhite will officiate. Friends may sign the guest register on Friday, January 8, 2016 at David W. Barnes Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends Friday evening at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials can be made to the First Christian Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.