Judith Yeaman Walthall

Judith Yeaman Walthall passed away at age 90 on May 18, 2023 in Venice, Florida. Judy had a lovely day and was surrounded by family in her home before passing away peacefully in her sleep. Judy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 8, 1932 to Judith Van Dyne Yeaman and George Fishback Yeaman. Judy grew up in Sedalia Missouri. She began her high school years at St. Agnes boarding school for girls in Alexandria, VA. She then moved home to Sedalia Missouri and graduated from Smith Cotton High School in 1950. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Additionally, she earned her teaching certification in Elementary Education. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a Phi Beta Kappa. Later in life Judy pursued and developed her spiritual knowledge, by studying the teachings of Unity and attended the Licensed Unity Teacher Program at Unity Village in Lee’s Summit MO. As a licensed Unity teacher she always tried to lead by example, teaching love and peace to those around her as well as providing spiritual support at Unity Church of Venice and to anyone she came in contact with. Judy joined Charles Damon Walthall in marriage on February 28, 1959 in Sedalia, Missouri. They raised daughters: Judith, Ann, Marion, Donna and Kate. Judy and Charles celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary before Charles’ death on November 14, 2014. She remained devoted to him until her death. As a young woman, Judy worked for an airline while living in San Francisco in the mid-1950’s. She taught 1st grade at Corinth Elementary School in Mission, Kansas in the late 1950’s. Judy was a trailblazer, she was open-minded and forward thinking throughout her life. She volunteered wherever she lived to make a better community for everyone. Judy and Charlie were members of an organization called “Fellowship House”, in Kansas City in the 1960’s, whose mission was to bring racial harmony to the community. They were activists in the movement toward the desegregation of the Kansas City Missouri Public School System which was racially divided due to “red-lining”. Their youngest daughter, Kate, was named a plaintiff in the desegregation lawsuit against the school system. Additionally, Judy worked as a social activist against the Jackson County Juvenile Court system to provide better protection to children who were innocent victims of domestic abuse. She and Charlie helped to establish an emergency children's shelter on Gillham Road.. They fostered 2 children and adopted their daughter Donna. Judy also founded the KCMO chapter of La Leche League in the 1960’s, a support group for young mothers who chose to breastfeed their babies at a time when it was frowned upon. She was a role model and a leader for thousands of young mother’s. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Judy worked in the office of Pediatric Ophthalmology of Dr. Gerhardt Cibis and Dr. Melanie Crandall. Charlie and Judy retired to Florida in 1986, to become “snowbirds” for 32 years. Judy discovered the library at Unity Church of Venice in 1990 where she then found her spiritual home. It was there that she continued to learn all she could to apply positive teachings to her life to bring her happiness, joy and peace. Passing on spiritual wisdom became her passion and life's work. She was dedicated to living a spiritual life which led to her being a co-facilitator with Donna Day of A Course in Miracles weekly Study Group for over 17 years. That group continues to meet at Unity Church of Venice. Judy also led a weekly book study that started with the book Loving What Is by Byron Kady. Judy’s Tuesday book club developed into a study of many other books over the years. It was an intimate spiritual support group also located at Unity Church of Venice that continues on today. Judy and Charlie believed in holistic and natural medicine and healing, including the healing power of prayer. She and Charlie traveled the world to actively learn and engage with natural healing methods. Their goal was to improve their wellness with alternative medicine practices. Judy is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years: Charles Damon Walthall (2014); daughter: Marion Walthall (1996); sister: Marion Van Pradelles Yeaman Land (2021); father: George Fishback Yeaman (1958); mother: Judith Van Dyne Yeaman (1963); mother-in-law: Maude Dorothy Wiggins Walthall (1991); father-in-law: Damon Orion Walthall (1961); sister-in-law: Ann McMillan Kittredge; brother-in-law: John Daniel Walthall (1951); and nephew: George Yeaman Land (2000). Judy is survived by four daughters Judith (Timothy); Ann (Michael); Donna; Catherine; brother-in-law, Donald; grand children, Charles, Sarah (Brian), Claire, Jacob (Kaley), Joseph, Kallie; great-grandson, Oliver; nephews: Daniel (Lilly), Jonathan, David, Donald. The Family of Judy would like to give a special thank you to the devoted caregivers that helped mom the past three years, but especially Angelique, Joey, Caroline, Delores, and Joyce for their heart-felt and loving care of our mom. Mom was able to live out the remaining years of her life in the comfort of her home because of their dedication to her care. We would also like to thank home health nurses, Kim s and Dana, of HCA Home Health and Casey, of Nurse on Call for their professional, and personalized care over the past 3 years. Thanks also to Judy’s devoted friend Marie for her weekly Saturday visits and to her wing, Donna, her co-facilitator for Course in Miracles. We would like to also extend our heartfelt thank you to the City of Venice Fire Department for the quality and dedicated service given to mom over the years and to the community of Venice. It was the Venice Fire Department that came to the aid of our mom and dad when their house burned down in 1999. The Venice Fire Department Benevolent Fund was such a blessing in a critical time of need to immediately provide basic necessities needed in the first few days following their home being destroyed by the fire. Judy requested that family and friends gather to celebrate her life and each other. The family plans on having at least two gatherings, one in Florida and one in Kansas City, both of which will be announced at a later date. The scattering of her ashes will take place in the Rose Garden at Unity Village in Lee’s Summit Missouri, where she will join her husband, Charles Damon Walthall and daughter Marion Walthall. A Memorial Celebration in honor of Judy will be held at Unity of Venice located at 125 N Jackson Road, Venice, FL. 34292 on Friday, July 21 from 5:30-7:30pm. Judy always loved to remember and tell others the words of Catherine Ponder which were shared almost weekly by Reverend Loren Flickinger at Unity Church of Venice: “Dear God, I can hardly wait to see the good that will come of this…” In lieu of flowers, donations in Judy’s memory may be given to: Venice Firefighters Benevolent Fund: P.O. Box 1316, Venice, FL, 34284-1316 Unity Church of Venice: 125 North Jackson Road, Venice Florida 34292 Unity Church Universal, Kansas City Missouri: 913 Tracy Kansas City Missouri, 64106

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Judith Yeaman Walthall

May 18, 2023