Shirley Mae Walton

 Shirley Mae Walton 

Jan. 26, 1929 – March 30, 2026 

Shirley Mae Walton went home to be with the Lord on March 30, 2026. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1929, Shirley carried a rare grace and fortitude from a young age. As she  learned and grew, she worked and helped care for her family.  She developed the strength, wisdom, and resilience that would become the essence of her beautiful life. 

Her journey eventually led her to Joliet, Illinois. It was there that she met her devoted husband, Virgil, and together they raised their three children. Beyond the walls of her home, Shirley cultivated lifelong friendships and became a true staple of the community. She touched countless lives through her professional work in both banking and education, as well as through her steadfast commitment and service in her church. 

An avid reader and lover of music, Shirley found great joy in getting lost in a book, lifting her voice in song, or relaxing while listening to the classic sounds of Billy Eckstine. She delighted in  the company of others, and cherished her roles as a devoted mother, grandmother, and  great-grandmother. Shirley’s life was a testament to her limitless love, grace, and compassion, anchored in her reverent love of God. 

Family 

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Virgil Melvin Walton; her son, Darnell  Lemoyne Walton; her parents, Paul and Omie Carson; and her siblings, Paul Jr., Robert, Frank, Gloria Dean, and William. 

She is survived by her son, Virgil 'Skip' Melvin Walton Jr. (Cheryl); her daughter, Marsha Evonne  Harris (Harry Jr.); and her daughter-in-law, Gardenia Walton. Her legacy continues through her  three grandchildren, Marcus Aaron Walton, Nathan Ryan Harris, and Megan Elyse Chestnut, as well as her four great-grandchildren.

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