Marilyn Arline Walters

Marilyn Arline Cross was born November 1918, in Union, Nebraska. Her family moved to a farm near Arriba, Colorado, in 1920, where she graduated from Arriba High School and married Robert Elroy Walters August 22, 1937. They moved to Caldwell, Idaho, for a time before returning to farm the Walters’ homestead near Arriba. In 1944 they bought a ranch near Glenwood Springs, which they owned until 1958. In 1951 Robert entered the ministry, starting with a small rural Church of the Brethren near Yoder, Colorado, moving on to build a new church in Pueblo, and then to serve the Phoenix First Church of the Brethren from 1964 to 1976. Mrs. Walters worked as a teacher’s aide from 1964 to 1975 in nursery schools and the John F. Kennedy School in Phoenix. She was a partner to her husband in every aspect, from milking cows, riding horses, and bucking hay to typing sermons and cooking for large groups. The Walters’ always freely gave their time, energy, and money to others. Over the years they housed over 70 people in need of a place to stay and hosted international visitors. The Walters traveled widely, including every state, Europe, India, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, the Holy Land, and South America. After retirement, the Walters served churches in Colorado, California, and Idaho on an interim basis for nearly ten years. Mrs. Walters enjoyed baking and sewing, especially quilts. She made her first quilt at the age of nine, and sewed approximately 1000 quilts during her lifetime, most of them she donated to AZ Blankets 4 Kids. She also spoke at several local quilt shows and was interviewed for the archives in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. In addition, she sewed thousands of articles for needy children and hospital and nursing home patients. Mrs. Walters was preceded in death by her husband, Robert and a son, Robert Donald. Survivors include a son, Jim Walters of Tempe, daughters Joan Zumwalt of Grants Pass, Oregon, and Jean Gibbons of Chino Valley, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and fifteen great-great-grandchildren plus many others who lovingly called her Mom and Grandma Walters. There will be a memorial service for Marilyn Walters on Nov. 25 at 10:30 AM at Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren, 2450 N. 64th St. Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, we request that gifts be made to a memorial fund at Papago Buttes Church.