Mary Ann Walters

Mary Ann spent her younger years in Minneapolis, MN graduating from Roosevelt High School, where her father was her orchestra director. She began college studies at the University of Minnesota, where she met and married her first husband, Clyde A. Peterson. He was drafted and they moved to Texas. While residing in Texas, their daughters, Cheryl and Melody, were born.

After divorce, she completed her degree in education at Hardin Simmons University in 1968. Mary Ann then moved to Brandon, Florida to be closer to her parents. Brandon became Mary Ann’s home for the next 38 years. She taught at Pinecrest Elementary School and was an active member of Apostles Lutheran Church. She held leadership positions in American Association of University Women, AARP and other local organizations. She earned her Master’s in Education from the University of South Florida.

While working with the Democratic Party she met her second husband, Howard “Baggie” Walters. Her marriage to Baggie introduced her to the carnival life and Mary Ann began to perform as “Mama Clown”. They were both active members of the International Independent Showmen’s Association.

Following Howard’s death in 1990 and the death of her mother in 2005, Mary Ann moved to Missouri to be closer to family. She was an active resident at Churchill Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Fulton, MO through 2016.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughters Cheryl A. Jackson of Warsaw, MO and Melody A. Long, of Austin, TX. She is also survived by grandchildren Caryn Jackson of Columbia, MO and Colin Hackman and great-granddaughter Peyton Hackman of Wilmington, NC.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 18th, 3:30 pm at the Fireside room in the Community Center of Lenoir Woods Senior Living, Columbia, MO. In April, burial services will be held at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL, where Mary Ann’s ashes will be interred alongside her late husband, Howard Walters.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

International Independent Showmen’s Association

SRV Scholarship Committee

P. O. Box 3359

Riverview, FL 33568

Spintronix Indoor Color Guard

Scholarship Committee

4222 W Bethany Dr

Columbia, MO 65203