A Celebration of Life Mr. Reubin Walthall

Nieces of "Uncle Reubin" Women of Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Arthur Bell

Billy Bridges

Charles Swanson

Raymond Jeter, Sr. Frank Thomas

James Johnson, Sr. Charles Wilcoxson

Emory Kemp

Deacons of Mt. Zion Baptist Church: Deacon James Allen Deacon Robert Cooper Deacon Floyd Johnson Deacon Ray Thomas Deacon John Wright

Deacon Patrick Tripp

Darrell Walthall

Freeman Walker, Il l Gregory Kemp

Kevin Rhames

Gerald Kemp

Jeffrey Kemp

Ryan Locke

Dwight Guy

Dea. Robert Cooper, Sr. Robert Cooper, Jr.

Steve Sterling

Will Grimes

Rev. Curtis McGhee Rev. Gerald Gibson Brandon Bridges

Andre Wilcoxson

Yaphet Davis

Rev. Earl Bridges

Ryan Bridges

Jeremy Wilcoxson

James Wilcoxson

Charles Wilcoxson, Sr. Ricka Wilcoxson

Anthony Wilcoxson, II Gregory Everette, Sr.

Gregory Everette, Jr. James (Sam) Harris Hershel Dyer

Fredrick Dyer

Rev. Thomas Stegall

James Beavers, Jr.

Steven Beavers

Henry Wilcoxson, Jr. Marchellino Ventura Jeremy Wilcoxson

Minister Henry Wilcoxson

Minister Sterling Johnson
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Minister Jimmy Johnson

Truly earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal! The family of the late Reubin Walthall expresses our

appreciation for the outpouring of love you have always shown toward him and us. While we cannot acknowledge

everyone specifically for expressions of sympathy and kindness, know that we are eternally grateful for you . Special

thanks to the Kemp Family (Casket SprayL Mt. Zion Baptist Church, North East Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of

Fairburn, Retirees of U.S. Postal Office Service Martech Station, Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Authority (MARTAL City
of Durham (NC) Police Department and Gus Thornhill's Funeral Home. "' r~ 11;;1Molf'ruuf'1 ,Ji1i ox.Mn Cjr!Jm:lla

1315 Gus Thornhill, Jr. Drive East Pont, Georgia 30344 (404) 768-2993-4

God's appointed work for Reubin Walthall included a charge to set a fine example for men to follow- scholastic achiever, hard worker and provider, strong family man, dutiful soldier, faithful Christian. Having lived 85 fruitful years, from the Jim Crow era through the second term of America's first African-American president, Reubin was a gratified and
thankful witness to time's swift transitions and God's unchanging hand! Born June 6, 1930 in Palmetto, GA Reubin was the fifth of six children born to John and Lizzie (Kelly) Walthall.
Initially, he attended St. Paul School, a one-room schoolhouse and later Palmetto Elementary followed by South Fulton High School in East Point. He enrolled in Morehouse College after graduation from high school. A Korean War Veteran, he served in the United States Army from February 1951 until January 1953. He encouraged the family not to take freedom for granted. For him, voting especially was a privilege and not to exercise one's right was dishonorable. Until the end of life, his ability to recall significant incidents and their historical significance was simply amazing. Minute details
were seemingly emblazoned in his mind so that he could share with younger generations. Reubin displayed a superior work ethic beginning with a job as a school bus driver for Fulton County, where he
admired beautiful qualities within Evelyn Wilcoxson, a senior high school student. They courted and later entered wedded bliss on June 30, 1957. In marriage, Evelyn thrilled Reubin's heart by making him a father to Darrell and Kim. Reubin came home smiling each day, immediately washed his hands and sat down to home cooking at its' finest with his wife and children. Over the years, Reubin welcomed many family gatherings and frequent visits from friends and neighbors drawn to the Walthall dinner table for Evelyn's great food and his loving jests. They ate a ton of food and he
willingly paid the grocery bill. Reubin was an avid fan of professional baseball and wrestling. He loved to laugh and recount matches he
watched on television, as well as those he attended at the City Auditorium with son, Darrell, nephew, Earl and brother-
in-law, Billy. Taking ownership of his God-ordained role as a man and husband, Reubin found joy in gainful employment. For
a brief period, he worked at Rich' s (now Macy's) and also had a TV repair service. He secured a position as a Mail Carrier with the United States Postal Service, where during his 30-year tenure he earned a coveted reputation for sorting mail with intricate precision in record time along with numerous safety commendations. As a union leader, he attended national Post Office conferences as a delegate, often with niece, Gloria Emmari, Earl, and sister-in-law, Aunt G in tow
along with his immediate family. Hitting off the postal clock at 2:00pm daily, Reubin sought additional work opportunities during the remaining
daylight hours. He responded to an advertisement for a training program through Bryant Heating and Air. Upon completion he worked at Jackson Electronics where he became the protege of Mr. Willis Jackson, owner. In 1973, Reubin's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Walthall Heating and Air. A perfectionist by nature, he would install and repair air conditioning systems - efficient to the point one would need blankets to survive in a house, business or church he had serviced. He never formally advertised over the years as satisfied customers did it for him. God's grace was sufficient along with business cards and his white panel van chocked full of supplies. Although he retired from the postal service on August 13, 1986, he continued making Walthall Heating and Air service calls often times with son, Darrell, as a faithful helper. In these semi-retirement years, he also enjoyed cross country road trips with Evelyn and his brother and sister-in-
law, James and Ethel including many trips to Durham, NC. Granddaddy Reubin was pleased to watch his children build strong families. He was a strong father figure for
children -in -law Kathy and Freeman; he found much pleasure in attending Elise and Kelsey's basketball games, and Taylor's vocal and theatrical performances. Without hesitation, he often gave support, advice, and sometimes rebuke.
Reubin depended upon God as his ultimate source of strength and provision. Upon marriage to Evelyn in 1957, he affiliated with Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon in 1990, and adopted the hymn, "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" and Psalm 37 as his personal declaration of faith. Often noted as having large, hard-working hands, he willingly placed those determined hands in the hand of Master Creator man who, stilled and controlled the waters of his life. Through good times or bad, storm, adversity, change or ill winds, Reubin simply HELD ON! God granted him clarity of thought, refined intellect and strong cognitive ability to process new mercies day by day until his final days on
earth culminating March 18, 2016. Hallelujah! Left to thank God for the life and safeguarding of Reubin Walthall are two children, son; Mr. and Mrs. Darrell
Walthall (Kathy) of Atlanta, GA.; daughter; Mrs. Kimberle Walthall Walker (Freeman) of Durham, NC. Three granddaughters; Elise and Kelsey Walthall- Atlanta, GA, Taylor Walker- Durham, NC; two siblings; Mr.james Walthall, Marie Dyer; loving in-laws as close as any blood relatives; Emory Kemp; Virginia McCaslin, Charles Wilcoxson (Trudy); Rosette Wilcoxson; and James Wilcoxson, a host of adoring nieces, nephews and cousins within the Walthall and Wilcoxson families. He was preceded in death by his soul mate, Evelyn Wilcoxson Walthall; his parents, John and Lizzie Walthall and three siblings; John Henry Walthall, Elnora Walthall and Nellie Kate Harris. If asked to encourage us from heaven today, surely he would smile and say, "If you could only see what Evelyn and I see, you'd Hold On! Hold On!
Hold On!"

Musical Prelude Processional
Remarks Selection Eulogy

p. m . " ' of Fairburn orgia 30213
5755 Mallory Road College Park, Georgia 30349

Choir