of Alexander, AR
June 12, 1929 - April 2, 2020
Richard Lunnie Walters, born on June 12, 1929, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020. He was born in Laurel, Mississippi and at the early age of 18, felt the call to preach the gospel. It was then he began to prepare for a life in the ministry.
He attended Jones County Junior College, Jacksonville College and graduated from Mississippi College with a B.A. is Sociology and minors in English and Bible Studies. He received seminary training at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, BMA Theological Seminary and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
Reverend Walters began his pastoral work at Bay Springs, Mississippi and pastored churches in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Walters met his wife, Lynn, at a revival meeting at her home church, First Baptist Church at Judson, Texas. They were married on May 27, 1952.
He pastored Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock for 27 years. While he was pastor at Temple, he had the privilege of serving as the Industrial Chaplin at Affiliated Foods Warehouse. At that time, he was the first industrial chaplain in the state of Arkansas. He also held many revivals across the tri-state area and influenced hundreds of people in the teachings of Christ. He completed is pastoral work at Collegeview Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas in 2010. In his spare time, he loved to garden, enjoyed woodworking projects and was a master at backyard grilling. The things he believed, taught and preached, he is now experiencing firsthand.
He is survived by his wife Lynn, son Richard S. Walters, daughters Debra Compton (Kris) and Jill Gray.
The family will be holding a private graveside service.
Memorials may be made to BMA of Arkansas, 10712 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 or the charity of your choice.
Bother Walters was our pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Fayetteville. We loved him so much. He married my husband, Delano, and I in 1970, helped lead me to Christ, and baptized me that same year. I will forever be thankful for his faithful teaching of Gods Word and his godly influence in our lives.
He was a great man. Love and prayers to his family!
To rhe family of Brother Richard Walters:
I regret that I did not meet Brother Walters earlier in our lives. He was in the Amberwood facility when we met, and I had the privilege of preaching to him Sunday afternoons until the COVID-19 virus came up. We had some very special time together talking about his ministry and movements throughout the years. Even with his advanced years he radiated his love for the Lord. May his legacy live on in the many lives he influenced for good!
Steve Raines, Pastor
East Side Baptist Church
Benton, ARK
Our condolences on your loss. Bro. Richard was a godly man and a faithful servant of God. His contributions are great. So thankful to have known him. May God bless you all.
Jill,
I am sorry for your loss. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Jill, our deepest condolences to you and your family during this time.
He was my young childhood pastor at First Baptist Church in Magnolia Arkansas. He passed on my birthday. Very fond memories of my first pastor that I remember.
Jill, my deepest condolences to you and your family during this time. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6: 24
Lynn and family
Praying for you as you go through this difficult time. Bro. Walters was such a special man and pastor. He had a pastor's heart. He was there for me and my family through a number of difficult times. He was such a comfort and pillar of strength for me and my girls when Lloyd died.
I have such respect for him and you as you served together through the many years.
Linda Thompson
Lynn and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many good memories of Bro Walters. He was my pastor for 27 years, my chaplain at Affiliated Foods and my friend. When Bobby was so sick he would call me and check on him and our family and I will always remember what an uplifting message he gave at Bobby's memorial service. I love the Walters family and you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Im so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.
Bro. Walters was the first preacher I remember preaching an expository sermon and the first to preach through a book. He was such a gentleman and just recently I wanted to tell him how much he had meant in my life and discovered he was in a nursing home. My prayers are with the family. He made a difference.
Jill, my deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May my prayers ease the pain of your loss.
My deepest sympathy to Jill and her family for the transitioning of your father. I pray for God Almighty to aid and comfort you during this difficult time.
Arnell Willis, Sr.
Division of Workforce Services
April 6, 2020
I am sorry for your loss. Praying for God's grace and comfort for you and your family.
Jessica
Didn't know Mr. Walters but work with his daughter. Very touch by the things he accomplished here on this world. He is in a better place now. My prayers are with his family.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying you and your family find comfort in God's loving embrace.
Jill, you and your entire Family have my sincerest condolences and prayers. May the Lord comfort you all.
Jill,
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
DeeVee Pearson and
DWS Staff
Praying for your family
My sincerest condolences to the Jill and the rest of the family. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him, I've heard wonderful stories from Jill. I pray that God gives you a peaceful heart and strength during this very difficult time.
Elroy Willoughby
AR Division of Workforce Services
My deepest sympathy to the Walter's family. Bro. Walters was my dear friend and I will miss him.Unity Baptist Church of Hope is praying for your family.
I came to know Bro Walters when he lived in Bryant. Just the sound of his voice, let me know he was a preacher. What I admired about him, was his humility. He was not self righteous, and we discussed many times his being a parent kept him down to earth. He was a tall man, not just physically. Retired Postmaster.
Brother Walters was my pastor at First Baptist Church, Waldo, AR.
He led me to Christ and baptized me at the age of 12. Shortly after that, we moved away. The fact that I still remember him so vividly is a testament to the influence he had on my life and many of my friends. Blessings on all the family.
He was my pastor in Fayetteville at Calvary Baptist Church while at U of A and later at Temple Baptist Church. My family will miss him. I consider him as one of the top five men in my life. Our prayers go out to Mrs. Walters and their children.
I was so sorry to read this about Bro. Walters. I’ve thought of him often since dad passed away in October and left Amberwood for his heavenly home. Bro. Walter’s sermon many years ago convinced me of my need for salvation. My prayers for all of his precious family in the loss of this wonderful man, especially during these hard days.
Darla and I express our sorrow in the loss of this great man of God. I know that their is an empty place in your hearts. I have the highest respect of him, a fellow Laurel, Mississippian. May God comfort.
All my love to you, Lynn, He was so loved and will be sorely missed. May God sustain you in your loss.
Very sorry for your loss. Thinking of Bro. Walters brings back memories of our Friday Morning meetings at Affiliated and his devotionals. Lot of respect for him. Prayers and condolences for the family.
It has been a blessing knowing Bro. Walters and having him in our home. Our prayers for God's grace to comfort you in the days to come.
Loved this man and Ms. Lyn. Prayers for this family. Heaven has gained one of the best!!
It is with great sorrow I read Brother Walter's obituary. He led my home church College View Baptist Church for many years and I found him to be a faithful pastor and a faithful friend. My condolences to the family and my prayer is that you all will be held in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father during your time of grief and sorrow. Jimmy Yates
We are so very sorry for the family of Bro. Walters. We will be praying for them.
Bro. Walters was a wonderful man of God and we thought so much of his steadfast ministry.
Bro. Richard was the Godliest man I ever met. He lived his testimony. I enjoyed hearing him preach during his pastoral care at College View Baptist Church. He is greatly missed.
Jerry and Tammy Caskey
So sorry for his loss! He was a wonderful Man of God! He loved the Lord and devoted his life to serving him! I’m proud to of had him as a Pastor and a Friend! Praying for the family!
I’m so sorry to hear about Bro. Walters , I thought so much of him. He married my husband and I while he was a pastor at Calvary Baptist in Fayetteville after he led my husband to Christ!!! I imagine they are having a good reunion in heaven now. My prayers are with you at this time.
Bro. Walters and all of you were such a huge part of my life. Love and praying for each of you.
So sorry to hear about your loss. We have great memories of Bro. Walters being our pastor. Now he is with the Lord and made whole again. Will be praying for your family.
I knew Bro. Walters from Temple Baptist in Little Rock and he baptized me when I was 8. He was also brought in as an honorary Thompson because we loved him so much! He was a great man and a caring pastor! I know he received a warm welcome in Heaven and he will be there welcoming me when it is my turn. My prayers and condolences to his family.
Bro. Walters was my childhood preacher and preached my father's funeral. He has left us a legacy of love.
Bro. Walters led me to Christ, baptized me and walked me through my call to the ministry. Forever thankful for how God used him in my life. Praying for the Walters family.
Bro Walters was my first pastor and is the measuring stick for every subsequent one I have sat under. His disciplined life of serving the Lord and leading folks to Jesus was an inspiration and set the example for generations of church leaders today.
So sorry for your loss! He was a “great man†of God! His influence was something I’ll always remember. I, also, loved it when he came to the ballpark to cheer Jill and her team on to victory. Prayers for all of you!