Rita Shaw Walters

Rita Shaw Walters, 85, of Grand Lake, LA, died at 9:20 AM on Saturday, December 19, 2015 in a local care facility.

Mrs. Walters was born July 23, 1930 in Selma, LA and raised in Elizabeth, LA, where she graduated from Elizabeth High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and Mathematics from Northwestern State University and moved to Lake Charles in 1954. She went on to receive her Master’s 30+ from McNeese State University. Mrs. Walters taught Home Economics and Algebra for twenty-four years at Forrest K. White, Pearl Watson, Parkview Christian Academy and Glad Tidings Christian Academy. Mrs. Walters was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Lake Charles from 1954 to 1985, where she worked with the youth for fifteen years and taught Sunday school for twenty-five years. She also was a past member of Trinity Baptist Church for ten years, charter member of Grand Lake Community (Baptist) Church and most recently attended Vineyard Christian Fellowship. She was an expert seamstress and wonderful cook, especially of vegetables. She was always unselfish and always put her family and students first. Mrs. Walters always stayed hopeful and was positive; she instilled her strong faith in God into her children and grandchildren and showed them how to live a Christian life.

Mrs. Walters is survived by her daughter, Judy Walters Vigo and husband, Reverend Kelly Vigo of Grand Lake; son-in-law, Rev. Bart Glatt of Lake Charles; brother, Billy Wayne Shaw and wife Justine of Natchitoches, LA; sister, Kayla Brossett and husband A.L. of Alexandria, LA; grandchildren, Louis Vigo of Grand Lake, Taiga Alexander of Grand Lake, Aimee Glatt Miles of Lake Charles, and Judith Glatt VanCamp of Lake Charles; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years, Curtis C. Walters; daughter, Renèe Walters Glatt; brothers, Earl Shaw and Melvin Hershal Shaw; sisters, Dr. Marie Dunn and Ruby Shaw Neighbors; an infant sister, Marjarie Shaw; and infant grandchild, Kelly Lauren Glatt.

Her funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Kelly Vigo will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.