Crystal Walters

Crystal Walters was a woman who was beautiful on the inside and out, but what made her stand out from the rest was her sparkling personality and her warm heart. She was intelligent, loved the theater, and was so full of life that she did whatever she could to make the most of each day. Crystal devoted herself to caring for her family, even when her children left home and started families of their own. She will be remembered for her scrumptious baked goods, her love for fishing, and her strong work ethic, but it will be her unwavering faith and her quiet strength that will be her lasting legacy.

The twenties were a great time to be an American since times were prosperous and people were looking to celebrate. They enjoyed activities such as baseball games with greats like Babe Ruth, jazz music and ballroom dancing, and great theater with Broadway at an all-time peak. This was a time for great celebration in the family of Rex and Myrtle (Heaven) Hampton as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Crystal Leone, on October 10th. Crystal was born as the fourth of twelve children in her family, although three of her siblings died at birth. Their family had a small farm in Vermontville, located to the northwest of Charlotte. Crystal’s father worked on their farm, but also in the local clay factory while her mother stayed home to care for their active family. By the thirties the Great Depression plagued our nation and much of the world leaving families doing whatever they could just to make ends meet. Life in the Hampton home was no different as there was no money for “extras” but as a result, the children learned to entertain themselves and all formed close relationships with one another. Crystal learned to bake at a young age with homemade bread being one of the specialties she prepared for her family. Their home did not have electricity, but they made due, and Crystal recalled Christmas as such a special time when they decorated their Christmas tree with candles.

While she was growing up, Crystal developed a variety of interests and traits. She loved roller skating and playing softball, and she also learned to play the guitar as a teenager. Crystal attended Vermontville High School where she was an excellent student - so much so, that she often assisted the teacher by helping fellow students complete their work. Crystal went on to graduate from high school in 1942.

What was of greater significance during Crystal’s years as a teenager was her introduction to a young man with whom she would write an eloquent love story. His name was Rex Walters, and they met while roller skating in a rather unlikely way. He actually tripped her up, but the attraction between them was immediately electric. Although they knew early on that they were destined to be together, the couple needed to wait for Crystal to finish high school before making their love official. Crystal and Rex wasted no time once she completed her education and were married on July 26, 1942, in the family home. The newlyweds were unable to take a honeymoon since Rex was called to serve his country in the military during a time of need for the first three years of their marriage.

Once he was discharged, Rex returned home and was prepared to begin working on the farm his father purchased for him. Crystal decided that she had enough of the farm life, and the couple declined his father’s offer and moved to Grand Rapids instead. Nothing could have thrilled the couple more than becoming the parents of four wonderful children: Jan in 1943, Barb in 1946, Diane in 1948, and Nancy in 1950. Crystal was a dedicated mother who was always ready to listen whenever her girls were ready to talk. She also worked hard outside of the home, working in customer service at Wurzburg’s Department Store, and later for Herpolsheimer’s, the Civic Auditorium, and for the Kiwanis Club of Grand Rapids. Their family enjoyed spending time together, frequently visiting Grand Haven on Sundays. They also spent time at a cottage they rented on Crockery Lake during the summer where Crystal could satiate her love for fishing. The Walters family attended Hope United Evangelical Brethren Church on the west side of Grand Rapids.

With her leisure time, Crystal enjoyed a variety of things. She loved the theater including the Circle Theater, and she purchased season tickets to the Civic Auditorium each year. Crystal enjoyed both big band and country music, especially Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash. Her work at the Civic Auditorium enabled her to have her picture taken with Johnny Cash and Liberace as well. She was an avid reader who enjoyed mainly romance novels and books by authors such as John Steinbeck and James Michener. Crystal did a lot of cross-stitch and was involved in both a bowling league and a golf league. She collected jewelry and after retirement, they traveled a bit including two trips to Germany, Spain, the World’s Fair in Toronto, Alaska, Arizona, and California as well as many bus trips to Chicago to see plays. Crystal enjoyed an evening out on the town whether it included dancing or dinner at her favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. In fact, she loved Italian food, although her favorite food was ice cream, and she also enjoyed homemade lemon bars and making her own plum cordial. Crystal liked baking and was known for her cinnamon rolls, homemade pasta for her Italian cooking, eggnog, and the famous Waldorf-Astoria Red Velvet Cake.

There were so many things that made Crystal Walters such an extraordinary woman, and that made her so easy to love as well. She was kind, compassionate, and always there to lend a listening ear. Crystal worked hard throughout her life, yet realized that there is so much more to life. She was strong and energetic, always ready for an adventure. As her family and friends now say goodbye, they will be forever grateful for the precious moments they were given to share with such a remarkable woman.

Crystal L. Walters died on Thursday, March 18, 2010. Crystals’ family includes her husband, Rex Walters, her children; Janice (George) Goosen, Barbara (Dale) Plowman, Diane (Robert) Hake, Nancy (Mike) Davidson, 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 9 great- great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Laverne Hampton, William (Eva) Hampton, Donna (Tom) Salik, Richard (June) Dickinson, Phyllis Hampton, and Margie Bennett. A service to celebrate her life will be on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:30 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association.