Wanda Faye Walters

Wanda Faye Stout Walters, 94, went home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2025, passing away peacefully at Towsley Village in the Chelsea Retirement Community, Chelsea, Michigan, surrounded by the love of her family and her faith. She was born January 6, 1931, in Dallas, Texas, to Gussie Dee Matthews and Raymond S. Stout. Wanda grew up in Oak Cliff and graduated as valedictorian from W. H. Adamson High School in 1948, where she was an active member of the National Honor Society, Book Review Club, Speakers Club, and served as President of the Pan-American Club, Secretary of the Dallas Historical Society, and Civic Federation delegate.

Wanda attended Rice University (then the Institute), joining the Sarah Lane Literary Society and meeting her future husband, Henry Lane Walters, Jr. They married in 1951, raised three children, and shared sixty-eight years together. Their marriage was marked by unwavering devotion to each other and a profound love of family.

Following Henry’s career with Western Auto, Wanda and Henry lived in Houston; New Orleans; Meridian, Mississippi; and Dallas before settling again in Houston in 1963. Henry became headmaster of St. Thomas’s Episcopal School, where for thirty-eight years Wanda taught third-grade boys—including her future son-in-law Robby, and, a year later, her own son Hal. Wanda was known for her patience and creativity in the classroom. She believed in the importance of phonics as a key to reading, having studied under Romalda Bishop Spalding, author of The Writing Road to Reading (now in its sixth, 2023 revised edition), in 1963. Her students remember her for making spelling exceptions memorable with clever phrases, like “Neither boy would seize the weird leisure; either and seizure,” to help them master tricky words. Wanda’s inspiration often extended far beyond academics; she was quick to notice when a child needed extra kindness and encouragement, and she managed to make each student feel special.

Wanda passed on her intellectual curiosity and love of learning to all who knew her. She served as Head Teacher of the Lower School at St. Thomas’ and taught Sunday School, where her faith and compassion guided countless children. She had flawless handwriting, and each summer she taught a course in cursive to new St. Thomas’ students—her beautiful script was legendary among friends and family, who often sought her help addressing wedding invitations. Wanda loved languages: she was fluent in Spanish, and she excelled in the Latin courses that she took by correspondence through the University of Texas at Austin.

After retiring in 2001, Wanda and Henry traveled often. Their four granddaughters cherished them as “Mimi” and “Papa,” and they spent time visiting family in Alabama, Michigan, Illinois, and Wyoming. Wanda delighted in sharing family stories and intently listening to the hopes and dreams of her children and grandchildren. In 2015, Wanda and Henry moved to Michigan, where their son Hal and daughter-in-law Katherine cared for them in their final years.

Wanda is survived by her children: Anne Robertson (husband Robby), and their daughters Caroline (husband Matt) and Jackie; Hal Walters (wife Katherine), and their daughters Hannah Ramsey (husband Aric) and Grace Cupp; and by her great-grandchildren, Robert and Nathan Ramsey, and Esmei Welling. Wanda’s beloved Henry and daughter Helen Dee predeceased her, in 2019 and 1960, respectively.

The family would like to thank Wanda’s many compassionate caregivers at Towsley Village.

A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 4900 Jackwood, Houston, on Friday, December 12, at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow. After the reception, for those who wish to attend, graveside service will take place at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School, 4900 Jackwood, Houston, Texas, 77096.