Lea Freeman Walters, 88, of Camden died at 8:40 p.m. July 3, 2008, at Culbertson Long Term Care Facility in Rushville.Lea Freeman Walters, 88, of Camden died at 8:40 p.m. July 3, 2008, at Culbertson Long Term Care Facility in Rushville.
She was born Feb. 5, 1920, in Lewistown, a daughter of Warren E. and Mayme Fairley Whites. She married Kenneth Freeman on Sept. 9, 1942, in Boise, Idaho. He died Oct. 6, 1971. She later married Paul Walters on July 5, 1975, in Camp Point. He died April 17, 1989.
She also was preceded in death by one brother, Larry Whites; and two sisters, Eloise Standard and Frances Myers.
Surviving are two daughters, Gretchen (and Lyle) Forsythe of Camp Point and Keatra Smith of Rushville; two sons, Larry (and Joyce) Walters of Galesburg and Alan (and Mary) Walters of London Mills; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She worked in an ammunition factory in Peoria and was featured in a Rosie the Riveter article during World War II. She worked with her husband on the family farm and also was a Watkins dealer for 16 years. For seven years, she taught nutrition for the University of Illinois Extension Service Expand Nutrition Program. She was one of the founders and served as a director of the HELP Center in Rushville from 1971 to 1990, and continued to serve on the board and volunteer for many years. She also volunteered her time with the Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center and RSVP in Rushville.
She was a member of United Methodist Church and attended Brooklyn United Methodist Church, was a member of Rushville Business and Professional Women, the Audubon Society and Hilltop Ladies of Fulton County. In 1987, she served as Grand Marshall of the Smiles Day Parade.
A Celebration of Lea’s Life was held Tuesday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville with Rev. David Newton officiating. Burial was in Rushville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to HELP Center Scholarship Fund or Culbertson Long Term Care Facility.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.