Colleen June Bennett Walton was called home on Nov. 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a short stay under the compassionate care of Peyton House hospice.
Born on Feb. 22, 1928, in Thurmond, WV, to William and Margaret Reed Bennett, Colleen was the youngest of 15 children and was cherished by each of her brothers and sisters.
At just five years old, she met the boy who would become the love of her life, Hazle Walton. He went home that very day and told his mother he had met the girl he was going to marry. Colleen and Hazle were married on July 9, 1945, in Lewisburg, and together they built a life rooted in love, faith, and community. They settled in Greenbrier County, where they raised their six children in the place they both held dear.
A devoted member of her community, Colleen generously gave her time and talents to many organizations, including the Ronceverte Woman’s Club, the Friends of the Ronceverte Library, the Progressive CEOs, the VFW Auxiliary, the Ronceverte River Festival Committee, and the Red Hat Society. She volunteered at the Greenbrier Classic PGA Tournament and served for many years on the Board of the Ronceverte Public Library. Colleen was also the last surviving charter member of the First Baptist Church of Fairlea, where she faithfully served as Sunday School secretary and was a proud member of the Lydia Sunday School class.
Colleen was truly one of a kind. Energetic, warm, and endlessly fun, she made friends everywhere she went. She loved the West Virginia State Fair and proudly attended her 98th fair this year during its 100th anniversary. Bowling was one of her great passions – she bowled in league play until she was 94, served as league secretary, and traveled across the country with her teammates, competing in cities such as San Antonio, Reno, St. Louis, and Detroit.
Her love of adventure extended well beyond bowling. Colleen traveled the world – twice – and was always ready to join friends or family on a trip, whether it involved a bus, a plane, or simply hopping in the car on a whim. She adored reading, treasured time spent playing games, and especially enjoyed a spirited hand of Canasta.
Colleen is survived, loved, and deeply missed by her children: Eddie Walton of Fairlea; Sandi Whitaker of Lawrenceburg, KY; Shawn Walton of Ronceverte; Jeff Walton of Ronceverte; and Darla Fisher (Mike) of Frankford; her daughter-in-law, Deanna Walton; and her grandchildren: Russell Walton (Cindy), Robin Walton (Brandon), Lisa Whitaker (Matt Conrad), Jennifer Walton, Brittany Fisher, Jason Fisher, Dudley Walton, and Drew Walton; granddaughter-in-law Anita Whitaker; great-grandchildren Joeseph and Shane Walton, Adrianna Shockley, Logan Whitaker, Nora Wilburn, Oscar and Odin Conrad, and Foxx Wells; great-great-grandson Justin Shockley; and a large circle of beloved nieces and nephews. She was also a cherished “Granny” to many who lovingly adopted her as their own.
She was preceded in death by her husband, H.C. Walton; her daughter, Dede Walton; her son-in-law, Ron Whitaker; daughter-in-law, Sandie Walton; grandson, Ron Whitaker; her sisters Edith, Helen, and Jessie Bennett, and Carrie Erskine; and her brothers Forrest, Bill, Charles, Wallace, Doug, Harry, Carl, Sherman, George, and Pete Bennett.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Colleen’s extraordinary life on Saturday, Nov. 29. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairlea, with a service to follow at 4 p.m. In keeping with her generous spirit, Colleen chose to donate her body to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine to help educate future generations.
To honor Colleen’s memory, share a story about her with someone. She would have loved that. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Ronceverte Public Library at 500 Main Street West or the Ronceverte Woman’s Club at 155 Mountain View Road, Ronceverte, WV 24970.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Ronceverte is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
