JOSHUA J. WALTERS JR.

Mr. Joshua Jarvis "Ricky" Walters Jr., the son of Hattie Mae Walters and the late Joshua Walters Sr., and the stepson of Mary Spann Walters, was born Oct. 11, 1959 in Sumter.

"Ricky," as he was affectionately called, departed this earthly life, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, in Dallas.

At an early age, "Ricky" began his Christian journey at the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Manning.

He attended the public schools of Sumter and was in the Sumter High School graduating class of 1977.

"Ricky" worked for several years where he was gainfully employed by Wal-Mart in Sumter. In 2003, he moved to Dallas where he was employed by Target.

Precious and loving memories will be cherished by his mother, Hattie M. Walters; one daughter, Tamara Hill of Sumter; stepmother, Mary S. Walters; three sisters, Jacqueline W. (Lenard) Abrams, Diane W. (Frank) Smalls of Sumter and Winifred W. Conyers of Dallas; one stepsister, Cynthia McDonald of Seattle; one stepbrother, Booker T. Spann of Columbia; seven aunts, Elma Vaughn, Edna McClain, Phoebe L.Sweatte, Gussie M. Ragin and Mary Lee Walters, all of Sumter, Virginia Brown and Christine Thomas, both of Baltimore; seven uncles, Elijah Walters, James L. (Lillie) Walters, the Rev. M.G. (Ola Mae) Walters, Esau (Lucille) Walters, all of Sumter, David Thomas Jr. and Douglas Thomas, both of New York City and Mr. James E. Thomas of Richmond, Va.; three nieces, Kristen Abrams of West Palm Beach, Fla., Kimberly Abrams of Spartanburg, Joscelyn Smalls of Sumter; two nephews, Mr. Eric Abrams of New York City and Brandon Smalls of Conyers, Ga.; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.

Ricky will always be remembered for his great sense of humor and his smile that could brighten any room. Ricky loved everyone, but he loved his family most of all.

He was known for his famous saying, "I REST MY CASE."

Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Joshua Walters Sr. and a son, Rashawn Andrew Bowman.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Jan.17, at 2 p.m. in the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Willie Wright, pastor; the eulogy by the Rev. Michael Walters; assisted by the Rev. Daniel McGhaney and the Rev. James Stukes. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Cemetery.

Flower and pallbearers will be the cousins and Sumter High School class of 1977.

The family will receive friends at the home of his mother, Hattie M. Walters, 12 James Village, Sumter.

Sumter Funeral Service Inc. is in charge of arrangements.