Walter T. Lunsford Sr.

Walter T. Lunsford Sr. March 16, 1916- December 28, 2006 COLUMBUS, GA— Funeral service for Mr. Walter T. Lunsford Sr., 90, of 955 Lawyers Lane who passed on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at St. Francis Hospital will be conducted on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 320 12th Street at 2 p.m. Father Frank Patterson, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be held in Porterdale Cemetery. Mr. Lunsford was born March 16, 1916 in Columbus, GA. to Watson Thomas and Elizabeth (Lizzie) M. Lunsford. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lula M. Lunsford Odom, his devoted wife of over sixty two years, Sally M. Lunsford and their son, Watson Thomas Lunsford. As a 1933 honor graduate of Spencer High School he delivered the Ivy Oration and was senior class treasurer following his academic studies at Fisk University and the University of Chicago. He was a charter member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Columbus Alumni Chapter and Eta Theta Chapter at Columbus State University. He was a prominent businessman with a successful career spanning over six decades to include real estate development, owner and operator of Fox Deluxe Wholesale Beer Distributing Company. He owned and operated Checker, Blue Bird and Red Bird Taxicab companies beginning in 1944 for thirty two years employing over one hundred persons at the peak of operations. Knowing that taxis would be in need of gasoline and routine repair, he expended into the service station business and opened Shell Service Station and later Six and Eighth Auto service-the forerunner to modern day one stop full service auto and grocery store. Operating Pierce Amusement Company he leased to others various coin operated vending and game machines. As an extension of the entertainment venue he would bring notables such as Cellastine Tuxedo Band, Erskine Hawkins Band and Ben Slaughter Band to the Pierce Auditorium. As independent as his mother Lizzie Lunsford was, after his fathers death he was her protector and faithful son in caring for her interest. He never left her side as she fought with Primus King and others for the rights of Blacks to vote in Georgia. It was with his faithful companion Sally at his side that he was able to make great stride and accomplish his dreams including the Annex Restaurant. Mr. Lunsford had a strong commitment to church, community and family. He was a former member of St. James AME Church. In 1951, he joined Mother Mary Catholic Church and later became a founding member of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. For over the last 20+ years, he has been an active member of The Church of the Holy Family. He regularly attended Mass, received Communion and prayed the Rosary. He was much the quiet humanitarian as his parents before him. He leaves to carry on his legacy his children, Elizabeth Duncan (John), Lula Huff (Charles), Mary Kaido (Michael), Walter Lunsford Jr., Joseph Lunsford (Cecilia), William Odom Jr. (Rochelle), Sally Varner (Alphonso), Alice Mclendon (Harold), Loretta Ayers (Tyrone), and Beatrice Wilkins (Gary); and his grandchildren; Sharonica, Jennifer, Walter and Watson Lunsford, Tamara Huff, Michael III, Mary and Martin Kaido, Fatima, Theresa and Joanna Lunsford, William III and Quinn Odom, Sally Varner, Alisia, Natalie, Harold, Jr., Warren and Bryant Mclendon, Kimberly and Angela Ayers, and Loren and Gary Wilkins Jr. A Rosary service will be held at Mother Mary's Catholic Church, 318 Seale Rd., Phenix City, AL. at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mother Mary's Catholic Church.