Shirley Lagerblad Walter

Shirley Lagerblad Walter, 84, formerly of Columbus, passed away on November 14, 2018.

Shirley was the daughter of Gilbert and Daisy Lagerblad of Savannah, Georgia. She attended Georgia College for Women in Milledgeville, earned her Master’s degree in Art Education from Georgia Southern University, and obtained an Ed.S. degree from Georgia State University.

Ever an independent woman, Shirley left Georgia in 1957 to take a job in Frankfurt, Germany planning activities for U.S. Army soldiers. She met the love of her life the first day on the job and married Clarence G. Walter of Baltimore, MD in 1958. They shared a love of travel that lasted for many years and took them to Army posts in Germany, Alaska, California and Georgia.

During her career, Shirley put her great passion for education and children to work teaching English and Art. She taught in Columbus at several elementary schools before becoming principal of Bibb City Elementary School; she also taught in Savannah, Georgia. From 1976-1978 she served as the director of the Dependent Youth Activity center at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.

In her spare time, Shirley was a very talented artist who loved to paint, weave, knit and scrapbook. She was a member of the Columbus Artist’s Guild, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was a member of the Columbus-Ft. Benning Shrine Club’s Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Survivors: daughters, Pamela Fountain (Joey) of Tallulah Falls, Kimberly Austin (Shane) of Atlanta; and four grandsons, Gilbert and Thomas Fountain, Brandon (Nicole) Austin, and Ryan Austin.

A private family graveside service will be held in Savannah, Georgia. Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.