Richard Garland Walls' Obituary
Richard Garland Walls, 95, passed away January 15, 2024, after a short stay in the hospital. He was born in Houlka, MS, on September 1, 1928.
Garland was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Henry Jefferson Walls and Mary Calsey Donie Garling. Growing up on a cotton farm in Mississippi, he had to walk miles to school each day, but that did not stop him from loving to learn. He studied diligently and was rewarded with a four-year scholarship to Ole Miss from the C.M. Gooch Foundation, becoming the first college graduate from his family in 1949. Garland graduated with Highest Distinction with a major in Political Science and German and a minor in History. Upon graduation he received a fellowship for graduate study through the Southern Regional Training Program in Public Administration.
On October 6, 1951, Garland married Maria Louise Ludwig in Memphis, TN. He later served in the Air Force at Dobbins Air Force base from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he worked in the auto parts industry, first for members of his family and later at AutoZone, retiring from there in 2002.
Throughout his life, Garland had two passions: loving his family and imparting his knowledge to others in the hopes of helping them. The study of nutrition combined both these passions. If anyone he cared about suffered from an allergy or illness, he was likely to show up on their doorstep with his suggested remedy in the form of supplements and herbal teas. He never missed a visit to a friend or family member in the hospital nor a family reunion. Sunday afternoons after church were spent visiting siblings who had moved to the Memphis area.
Garland loved reading about History and interesting topics. His collection of encyclopedias and National Geographic magazines lined the entire perimeter of his living room, and he would share the most interesting facts with his children and grandchildren, passing on his love of learning to them.
In addition to family time, Garland loved Ole Miss sports and gardening. His older daughter, Erin, received her first immersion into college football at 6 months of age. During their grade school years, Garland would patiently explain football rules and formations as his girls sat on his lap watching the games, producing two dedicated football fans. Dana, the younger daughter, remembers following Garland in the backyard as he watered the herbs and plants and taught her about each species. His green thumb could bring any ailing plant back to life.
When they moved into their first homes, he supplied both of his daughters with flower bulbs and tree cuttings from his yard, in addition to all the practical needs for starting out. He loved spending time with his grandchildren in his garden, showing them how to cultivate living things. Above all, he taught his daughters and three grandchildren to appreciate life and the natural order of things. He taught them that like growth, death is a natural part of life.
In his latter years, Garland experienced advancing dementia, but this did not stop him from remaining being endlessly devoted to his wife, Maria. He was committed to helping her with her own age-related physical limitations, even when it exceeded his own capabilities.
Garland is survived by his wife, Maria; his daughters, Erin Walls Reynolds (Faust) and Dana Walls Sherrer (Keith); his three grandchildren, Kara Sherrer, Evie Sherrer, and Ethan Sherrer; and his beloved brother, Donald Walls.
Funeral services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN, on Saturday January 27. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 am, with the memorial service beginning at 11am. EInterment follows. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The Christian Psychological Center.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.
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