Dr. Bob W. Walden

Dr. Bob W. Walden died peacefully September 22, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving daughter and friends. Today he is in Heaven with his Savior, his beloved wife and family, no longer using a walker or wheelchair. A celebration of his amazing life of 97 years will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Rainbow City First Methodist Church. Visitation is from 10:30AM to 11:30 AM and the service to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will take place at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Rev. Dee Dowdy will officiate; Collier-Butler Funeral Home will provide the arrangements. While the family will accept flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Rainbow City First Methodist Church, 3208 Rainbow Dr., Rainbow City, AL 35906 or another church or a charity of your choice.

Bob was born December 28, 1927, to Reverend Andrew and Viola Walden in Blount County, Alabama. His dad was a Methodist pastor, so they moved often throughout North Alabama. Bob graduated from Susan Moore High School in Blount County, Snead Junior College and Birmingham Southern College. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from The University of Alabama.

Bob accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at 10 years old. His dad was often asked to conduct revivals throughout North Alabama. Bob traveled with him to many of those places and his dad often asked him to pray. He became nicknamed “praying Bob’ as a teenager. He joined Rainbow City First Methodist Church in 1956. In 1974 his work took him to Montgomery, Alabama for about 20 years, but after he retired, he moved back to Rainbow City and immediately renewed his membership. He loved his church and his church family. He chaired every administrative committee of the church and most several times. He was chosen as District Lay Leader and honored with the Gadsden District Denman Award for Evangelism.

Bob was an educator throughout his life He began his career as a principal at a small school in North Jefferson County, B. M. Allen. After one year of teaching, he enrolled in Birmingham Southern and completed his bachelor’s degree. He then moved to Etowah County to serve as an elementary, junior high, and high school principal for 19 years. He was principal at Duck Springs Elementary School, John S Jones Jr. High School, and Gaston High School. He was the first Director of Adult Education in the State of Alabama, working at the Etowah County Board of Education. He later worked for the Alabama State Department of Education and retired as the Director of Adult Education for the state of Alabama. He was elected Chairperson of the National State Directors of Adult Education. In 1979 he was selected as the National Outstanding Adult Educator of the Year and was inducted into the Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame located in Oklahoma City.

Bob was an active Civitan from the mid1970s until around 2019. He began as a volunteer filling and collecting money from the candy boxes in Montgomery restaurants. He soon moved up the ranks to Governor of the Alabama/West Florida District and was later elected Senior Director of the Civitan International Board. He was a Master Club Builder, Shropshire Fellow and recipient of the International Honor Key, Civitan’s highest award.

Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife, Dr. Bobbie L. Walden. They worked, traveled and played together for over 50 years. Also preceding him in death are his first love and Olivia’s mother, Yvonne Gunter Walden; his parents, Rev. Andrew and Viola Walden; his son-in-law, Richard Kendrick; five brothers and two sisters who lived to adulthood and several nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his daughter Dr. Olivia W. Kendrick, who he claimed was his greatest accomplishment; Rev. Dennis L. Griffin (Allida) who he was so proud to introduce as his son; two granddaughters Stephanie (Tommy) Moomau and Amanda (John) Payne; two great granddaughters, Allida “Ada” Leigh and Eleanor “Ellie” Beckner Moomau; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Larry Etchison, Dr. Charles “Chip” Griffith, Stace Hardin, Dennis Henderson, Jerry “Skip” Howell, Ray Hutchison, James “Jim” Nabors, and Jimmy Owens. Honorary pallbearers are Betty Crowe, Brenda Holland and Larry Hawkins.

The family will ever be grateful to the wonderful caregivers provided by Healing Hearts, who quickly became family: Patience West, Kim Malcolm, Jennifer McFarland, Jessica Martin, Edith Veal, and Angela Hudgins. We also thank Gentiva Hospice and his long-time physician Dr. Harper.