LEONA MAE CARTER WALTON May 2, 1938 – March 22, 2024
Leona Mae Carter Walton, passed into the arms of her Savior on March 22, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born at her family’s homestead in Mills County, Texas to John Ralph and Lillian Leona Carter on May 2, 1938. The youngest of 10 children, Leona grew up in a time of poverty, drought and war. With the love and support of her family and community, she thrived and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and taught both 6th and 8th grade.
Through long distance letters, she and a childhood friend, Roddy Walton, kindled a romance, courted, and married in 1961. She and Roddy moved to Del Mar, California, enjoying life on the beach and welcomed their first daughter, Emily. In 1967, the family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico after Roddy accepted a position at the national laboratory there. Their second daughter, Ellen, was born soon after, and they built a house in the Pajarito Acres subdivision in White Rock, an adventure in and of itself.
Leona transformed the property into an oasis. She instilled in her daughters a love of gardening, cooking, and crafts with constant projects, indoors and out. The family camped, fished, hiked, and took long car trips to visit family and see the country.
Leona nurtured an extended family of friends in her community. She enjoyed countless hours working on the Altar Guild and Vestry at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church and was an active member of the Church Women United and American Association of University Women. She took her daughters to music, dance, gymnastics and swim lessons and volunteered for Lassie League, Girl Scouts, and school programs. She and Roddy square danced with the Mountain Mixers, traveled together, and cherished their children and grandchildren.
In 2021, Leona Moved to Assisted Living at MacKenzie Place in Colorado Springs, and lived to meet her first great-grandchild in 2023. She had a rare condition called scleroderma that caused a great deal of pain and difficulty in later years. During that time, she developed a great love for her caregivers in both Los Alamos and Colorado Springs.
Leona is survived by her sister, Lottie Carter Davis, daughters Emily McMorran and Ellen Walton, sons-in-law, Kevin Henderson and Robert Pelak, grandsons Tristan and Ian McMorran, Ian’s wife, Kaitlyn McMorran and their son Emmett McMorran.
A memorial service for Leona will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 18 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs, and then a service of interment at 10:00 am on Friday, June 7 at the Santa Fe National Veterans’ Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Family and friends attending the June 7 service at the National Cemetery are asked to gather at 9:30 am at the entrance to be guided in.
Leona Mae Carter Walton May 2, 1938 – March 22, 2024. Courtesy photo
