Gertrude (Hockett) Walton (1954)

WALTON, HOCKETT, STANLEY, PIPPINGER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 10/14/2007 at 08:12:13

Earlham Library Obituary Collection
Earlham, Iowa
September 1954

Gertrude (Hockett) Walton

Gertrude Hockett Walton, daughter of Stephen D. and Ruth Stanley Hockett, passed away at 6:30 p.m., September 17, 1954 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Celia Pippinger in Coral Gables, Florida. This was on the eve of her 53rd wedding anniversary. Many messages of congratulations for that occasion had arrived, which she was never privileged to enjoy, but they brought cheer to the husband, Jesse. Both have been living at the home of their daughter since Mrs. Walton’s recent illness.

Born and raised in Earlham, she spent most of her life in this community. She graduated from the Earlham Academy in 1897 after which she taught in several schools in Madison and Dallas counties. Also in the Earlham town school.

On September 18, 1901 she was joined in marriage to Jesse P. Walton. To this union two children were born, Jesse S. Walton of Corvallis, Oregon, and Mrs. Celia Pippinger. For several years the family lived in Oskaloosa and Des Moines, returning to Earlham to make their home in 1943.

Always a tireless worker in her church and Sunday School she was also a leader in the local and state WCTU organizations. For many years she was state secretary of the Loyal Temperance Legion, as well as editor of the Champion, the WCTU state paper, for 20 years, until her illness forced her retirement.

In 1945 she was called to the high office of state president of the WCTU of Iowa and served gloriously in that capacity for seven years.

She was a member of the Earlham Friends church, Sunday School, an active member of the Des Moines branch of the National League of American Pen Women, a charter member of the Sorosis Club of Earlham and many other organizations.

During her lifetime she wrote and published many stories, poems and articles for magazines as well as a book entitled: “Girls Who Win.” She leaves these as an enduring memorial to a lifetime of good work.

In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by two sisters, Miss Mayme Hockett of Des Moines; Mrs. Orpha Moore of Boone; two brothers, S. D. Hockett of Phoenix, Arizona and S. W. Hockett of Mt. Pleasant, one grandchild, David Pippinger of Norfolk, Virginia, and two great granddaughters, Vicki and Jody Pippinger, also of Norfolk.

Funeral services were conducted at Gerhart Funeral Home in Miami on September 20 at 4:00 p.m., with graveside services and interment at Woodlawn cemetery in that city. It had been her earnest request that she be laid to rest here, to always be near to her beloved children.