Alice Walters

Alice Pauline "Pat" Mitchell Walters died at Homestead Assisted Living on January 25, 2014, in the arms of her husband and in the care of loving Homestead caregivers.

Alice Pauline "Pat" Mitchell Walters was born February 4, 1932 to James A. and M. Irene Todd Mitchell at Christ's Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. She lived in Topeka through her early years, attending Lincoln and Oakland Elementary Schools. Her father was transferred to St. Joseph, MO and then to Warrensburg, MO before he was drafted into the Navy in 1944. The family moved to Belleville, KS to be near the maternal grandparents. Following the war, the family moved to Sunflower Village and later to Emporia where Pat completed high school and attended the College of Emporia, where she met and married James Ted Walters on June 17, 1951. This bonding of love was for life and lasted over 62 years. Ted survives in the home. Also surviving are a son, James Todd Walters (Teresa), of Topeka, two daughters, Patricia "Trish" Walters and Mary Ann Walters of Topeka, ten grandchildren, James Tyreill Walters (Nicole), Tampa, FL, Chynna Prenzler (Scott), Deer Park, TX, Geoffrey Walters, Topeka, Sheinja Brooks (Jason), Council Grove, Sierra Wilson, Chelsea Schnegelsiepen and Joel Knapp, Topeka, Christin Flint, Washington D.C., Melissa Hickman (Kenneth), Colorado Springs, Brandon Flint (Nicole), Emporia and six Great Grandchildren, Arabella, Ariel, Brenton, Cadence, Destinee and Porter. An aunt, many nieces, nephews and cousins survive to mourn her death. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, Dr. John James "Jack" Mitchell.

Alice "Pat" was a teacher in USD #50l for 28 years. She began her teaching career at Highland Park High School in 1954 as a teacher of English, stopped in 1957 to raise her family and returned to teaching in 1962. Her deep compassion for the underdog and children in need, led her into the field of the physically impaired and she enrolled in classes at the University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas University and the Capper Foundation. She taught the hospitalized and homebound for several years, serving children of every need. Pat established a closed ward high school for adolescents at the Topeka State Hospital and later taught at Stormont-Vail Medical Center in the diagnostic ward for mentally disturbed adolescents in 1982, retiring in 1992. She dedicated her life to righting wrongs and giving children the help they needed to meet the challenges of the world. Alice "Pat" was a champion for the underdog and her love for her students created many long lasting friendships.

Pat was a member of The First Christian Church of Topeka, several educational organizations, the Kansas State Extension Master Gardeners, the Topeka Genealogical Society, The Daughter's of the American Revolution, the Topeka Association of Retired Educational Employees, the Kansas Association of Retired Educational Employees and the American Association of Retired Persons. Along with her husband, Ted, she contributed many hours of volunteer service to local, state and national organizations serving the retired and aging. She was a remarkable woman who made a difference in this world. Her family and many friends thank God for Pat Walters.

Pat asked that, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the First Christian Church or to the Meals on Wheels for Topeka and Shawnee County, be considered. Donations to Grace Hospice, an organization that gave deep, considerate love and support to Pat and to the Family, would also be an honor to Pat's name. Donations may be sent to the Penwell Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, at 1321 SW Tenth Ave., Topeka, 66604.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at First Christian Church. Family visitation will be held at 10:00 AM.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka.

To share your memories of Alice or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.