Edwin Walthall

WALTHALL
Edwin Walthall, Pastor and Author of Prayers, dies at 87.

Edwin Walthall's roots in San Antonio go back to his great-grandfather, Franklin Lafayette Paschal, who came from Georgia in June, 1836, to fight for Texas Independence, and remained to make his home in San Antonio. Rev. Walthall was a graduate of the University of Texas (B.A) in Austin, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (M. Div.), and Trinity University (M. Ed.) in San Antonio. He served pastorates in Houston, Texas (2nd Presbyterian); Navasota, Texas; Morrilton, Arkansas; Dallas, Texas(Wynnewood Presbyterian); and San Antonio (Covenant Presbyterian and First Presbyterian) and taught English for two years (1969-71) at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. Among a number of achievements, he was proudest of his receipt of the Alumni Fellowship awarded by Austin Seminary and his victory in the University of Texas intramural handball championship. While serving as a pastor at First Presbyterian, the church in which he grew up and that, from the time he was a boy, remained a beacon of his faith, Rev. Walthall pursued with greater intensity a lifelong interest in prayer, publishing in 1989 the first of two volumes of collected prayers, Intercessions & Alleluias (First Presbyterian Church, 1989). In answering the complicated question of what happens when we pray, Rev. Walthall wrote: "Prayer is throwing open the door so that the power of God's spirit can come into our own lives. We are changed when we pray. Love becomes more active. We become more sensitive to the pains and joys of others. We are more sure God is at work in us and them. We see it happening. We become the wires that can carry the mighty currents God sends surging into the world. The current can move through us to provide light where people are living in darkness. Having asked and received forgiveness, forgiveness flows through us to others, and love, received in that mighty burst of love that poured forth from the cross, now goes charging along the lines of our prayers. . People in pain find courage; people battling illness find new strength; people crushed by loss are comforted. The current follows the path of our prayer in God's own mysterious way. The mechanics may mystify us. It is the mighty, active compassion of God that makes it work."An additional volume of prayers, "My Grace is Sufficient": Prayers of Hope and Encouragement (First Presbyterian Church, 1994), appeared in 1994. Rev. Walthall was born on June 22, 1925 to Nellie Napier Paschal and Walter Walthall in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in the family home at 321 W. Cypress St., along with his four brothers, 2 cousins, and a neighborhood full of aunts, uncles and cousins. Baseball and ice cream were life-long passions. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Hibler Walthall; son, Ned Walthall and his wife, Mari Ann of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; daughter, Meredith Elsik and her husband, Buddy of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Andrew Elsik, and his fiancée, Emerson Stuckart of San Antonio, and Daniel A. Pearlman of East Brunswick, New Jersey. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Dr. Walter Walthall, Frank Paschal Walthall (Bub), James Dubose Walthall and Thomas Jones Walthall, all of whom were dear friends throughout their lives. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews, many of whom remember his frequent recitation of The Night Before Christmas at family Christmas parties. A very special thanks go to the many wonderful caregivers from At Your Service, who could not have possibly provided more compassionate care over the last several years. Those caregivers include our general, Leonor Alvarado, and the amazing crew of Magda Rivera-Ortiz, Sonia Campos, Anita Tamez, Guadalupe Centeno, Audra, Gonzales, Virginia Hernandez, Gaby Martinez, Martha Tristan, Rosella Munoz, Rosemarie Medina, Juanita Casarez, Delia Gayna, and Cassandra Ramirez. Many thanks also go to the kind and very skillful care provided by Dr. Gerald Koppes and Rev. Walthall's great nephew, Dr. Walter Walthall IV, whose compassionate, wise, and loving practice of medicine at the end of Rev. Walthall's life would surely have made his grandfather proud.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 19, 2012
1:00 P.M.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
404 N. ALAMO

A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Rev. Walthall's name be made either to Austin Presbyterian Seminary, Capital Campaign, 100 East 27the Street, Austin, TX 78705 or to First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78205.
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www.porterloring.com

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