Georgia Walter

Georgia Ann Walter

Georgia Ann Walter, 91, passed away on August 8, 2015 at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

She was born May 30, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Maxwell D. and Tina M. Holland Warner. On August 7, 1943, she married her dancing partner for life, Francis M. “Bucky” Walter. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her sister Phyllis.

Surviving are a daughter Cynthia Willcox and husband Stephen, Lancaster, MO, son Gregory Walter and wife Leisa, Kirksville; six grandchildren: Laura Landis Jacobs and husband Ty, Columbia, MO, Sarah Perdue, Des Moines, IA, Julia Willcox, Los Angeles, CA, Amy Walter Garr and husband Mark, Lancaster, Mark Willcox and wife Krystal, and Lydia Walter Flennory and husband John of Kirksville; nine great grandchildren, Kaitlea, Ian, and Caleb Garr, Cynthia, Joseph, and Nicholas Willcox, Abigail and Luke Jacobs, and Kayden Flennory.


Early in life Georgia moved several times and entertained her family with childhood stories of living in Michigan, Florida, California, and Oregon. In 1938 she moved to Kirksville when her father became a member of the faculty at Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery, now ATSU. She graduated from Kirksville High School in 1942 and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University), receiving her B.S.E. in vocational home economics. She was a member of Delta Sigma Epsilon Sorority (now Delta Zeta); Pan Hellenic Council; the Ellen H. Richards Home Economics Club and the Women’s Athletic Association. During World War Two she and Bucky worked at the Ordnance Plant in Des Moines, IA until he entered the service.


Georgia was a member and Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church. She authored the book, The History of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirksville, Missouri for the centennial year in 2008. She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, taking her daughter’s troop through high school. She served as Becky Thatcher Girl Scout Council leader trainer and camp director at Pioneer Ridge with tents and all meals cooked over campfires, also directing Camp Derricott at Cuivre River State Park. Past president of Delta Zeta Alumna, the National Council honored her with the Delta Zeta Golden Rose Award. She belonged to Third Contemporary Club, KCOM Faculty Wives, Saddle Club, A Z Club, and the Ann Haynes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.


Mrs. Walter served as a substitute teacher in the Kirksville Public Schools for many years. In 1969 she received accreditation in Library Science and became director of the A. T. Still Memorial Library at KCOM. Georgia belonged to the Missouri Library Association and the Medical Library Association. She helped found and served as president of the Osteopathic Section of the MLA, receiving the Murray Gottlieb Prize in 1969 for the best paper submitted on the history of medicine, “Osteopathic Medicine: Past and Present.” Mrs. Walter was a well know speaker and author on the history of osteopathy. She enjoyed research and writing, publishing the books, Women and the Osteopathic Profession, The First DO: Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, The A. T. Still Memorial Library, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and The First School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Georgia, a consultant to osteopathic college libraries, was a member of the College Accreditation Committee for the American Osteopathic Association, the Missouri Library Planning Committee and the Northeast Missouri Library Development Committee. She was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Committee for the establishment of the Missouri White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services and was a delegate.


Upon retirement in 1986 she was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Osteopathic Education degree. Honors include the Kirksville Osteopathic Alumni Association Living Tribute Award, Missouri State DAR Women in History Award, Missouri Humanities Council Governor’s Book Award, KCOM Distinguished Service award, and in 2006 was named an American Osteopathic Association Great Pioneer of Osteopathic Medicine.

Georgia relished times with Bucky traveling, spending winters in Florida, and being with their many lifelong friends. She cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren who have joyful memories of Grandma’s puzzles, Parcheesi, and performances at the family Christmas program. Her happy smile and loving care will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be 11:00a.m. Saturday. August 15, 2015 at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville with Rev. Carroll Davenport officiating. Music will be provided by Twila Anderson pianist and granddaughter, Laura Jacobs, soloist. Burial will be in the Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Lydia and John Flennory, Amy and Mark Garr, Ty Jacobs, Julia Willcox, Mark and Krystal Willcox.

Visitation will be Friday, August 14, 2015 with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the:
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Georgia Walter may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, A.T. Still Memorial Library, or the Still National Osteopathic Museum. Memorials may be sent to the funeral home.