Lawrence Walters

Lawrence Walters, of Colleyville, Texas passed away on December 2, 2013 at the age of 64 due to complications related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Although Lawrence was officially diagnosed in late 2011 with ALS, symptoms were present since 2009. He was born in Texarkana, Ark. on August 21, 1949 to Mannon L. Walters, Sr. and Velda Rose Anthony Walters. He was the grandson of the late Garland and Flora Anthony of Bearden, Ark. Lawrence learned from his grandfather, Garland, a love of hotels, among other life lessons. From his early childhood he spent as much time as he could with his grandparents when they visited Hot Springs. He saw the business first hand not only from the perspective of the owner, but also became somewhat of a young mascot for many of the hotel staff. Lawrence gained from his grandmother, Flora, a passion for travel and adventure. Each month he would eagerly await the arrival of National Geographic Magazine. Mam-ma would begin reading as they discussed the various peoples, nations and continents. Frequently they would tape the included map to the wall as they read the magazine so they could better understand both the geography and topography of the nation they studied. From an early age, Lawrence was determined to travel internationally to visit and experience many of the countries they had so fondly read about. He graduated from prep school at Sanford Naval Academy in Sanford, Fla. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in International Affairs and Spanish, and completed his coursework for Master of Arts from Regent University, in the School of Public Policy. While attending Vanderbilt, he had the extraordinary opportunity to study his junior year abroad in Spain at the University of Madrid. He lived with a Spanish family and those experiences forever enriched his life. Lawrence spent over 40 years in management positions in hospitality and consulting both domestically and abroad; including Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico, Acapulco, Mexico, Cusco, Peru and in Jerusalem, Israel with Middle East Television. He traveled extensively throughout his lifetime, visiting more than 35 countries. In the late 1970s, Lawrence was fortunate to meet Ed Cromwell, the noted Little Rock architect. Overcoming almost insurmountable obstacles, they created a partnership to acquire, renovate and restore the historic Capitol Hotel in Little Rock, Ark. which was facing imminent destruction by a wrecking ball. His father, Mannon L. Walters, Sr., preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pamela Shearer Walters and son Matthew of Colleyville, Texas, his mother Velda Rose of Tulsa, Okla., brother, David of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Mannon Jr. of Evansville, Ind. Visitation will be at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Ark. on Monday, December 9th from 6-8 p.m. and December 10th from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 10th at 11 a.m. to be followed by burial at Bethel Cemetery in Bearden, Ark. In lieu of flowers and other gifts, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Regent University Scholarship Fund. Lawrence and Pamela first met at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. The impact of this educational experience set them on a trajectory to live and work with purpose and to love and engage with those placed in their path. They have purposed to ‘pay it forward' since both were the beneficiaries of such generosity by establishing a scholarship fund so other students fortunate to have such an opportunity could benefit from financial support. Lawrence was a life-long learner, he invested his knowledge, wisdom and heart in almost everyone he met or worked with. The Matthew David Walters scholarship was initiated to help support students with learning or physical disabilities. If you would like to contribute to this scholarship, contact Regent University at 800.335.4409 and reference ‘WALTERS' Scholarship. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Ark. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.