Mr. Donald Lamar Walls

Donald Lamar "Don" Walls, age 91, of Memphis, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on the morning of December 21st, 2025.

Donald was born on September 17th, 1934 in his childhood home in Algoma, Mississippi, to Henry Jefferson Walls and Mary Calsey Donie Garling Walls. He was the youngest of thirteen children, growing up in a large and loving family that included his siblings of which Donald was the last surviving: Thedford Walls, Alma Butler, Howard Walls, Modess Winter, Odell Wood, Clifton Walls, W.T. Walls, Vance Roye, Viola Nicholson, John Walls, Garland Walls, and Sara York.

Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army from February 1957 to February 1959.

On August 21st, 1954, Donald married the love of his life, Ruby Ann Roye, in Vardaman, Mississippi. When the two met, Ruby immediately knew they would one day be married. Their love story spanned 57 years of marriage, until Ruby's passing in 2011. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, and devotion to one another and the Lord.

Donald and Ruby were blessed with two daughters, Pam Ogletree and Kim Burcham, who were the pride and joy of his life.

A man of many trades, Don had an incredible ability to fix just about anything. He worked as a deckhand on the Mississippi River, later became a mechanical engineer at DuPont, owned and operated Walls Automotive on Southern and Highland, and was a vital part in expanding Dillards across Memphis. His strong work ethic, mechanical skill, and willingness to help others defined much of his life, as well as his love for the outdoors. He was happiest in a fishing boat or in the woods hunting for his next deer while telling his next joke. Donald was also a gifted storyteller and family historian who cherished making pancakes for his family on trips, loved watching hummingbirds and playing in his bowling league, and was known as the family's biggest Memphis Grizzlies fan.

Donald "Papa" is survived by his daughters and their families. He is survived by Pam Ogletree and her husband Mark Ogletree, and their children: Tanner Ogletree (Kathryn Ogletree and his first great grandchild, Nora Ogletree), Madison Ogletree (Conner Thompson), and Paxson Ogletree (Matt Baker). He is also survived by Kim Burcham and her husband Ronnie Burcham, and their children: Carson Burcham (Hailey Johnson) and Delaney Taylor (Ethan Taylor).

A time of visitation to celebrate Donald's life will be held on Friday, December 26th. All friends and family are welcome between 3:30–5:00 PM at High Point Funeral Home, located at 3788 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee.

Burial will take place on Saturday, December 27th, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Pontotoc, followed by fellowship at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Dining Hall. Pallbearers will be: Bruce Edwards, Greg Ellis, Tanner Ogletree, Carson Burcham, Conner Thompson, Matthew Baker, and Ethan Taylor. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund in care of Dennis Henderson, 917 Garrett Creek Loop, Pontotoc, MS, 38863.

Donald will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, skilled tradesman, and a man whose hands and heart were always ready to help others. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so deeply. As Papa would say, "see you in the funny papers".