March 25, 1946 - November 16, 2023
Jenness Randy Walters passed away peacefully on November 16, 2023 at age 77. He was born in Pitt County and he started first grade on campus at East Carolina College where he would later graduate with an Art Education Degree from East Carolina University. After his family moved to Wilson, he graduated from Fike High School in 1964. After graduation from East Carolina University in 1968, he taught for two years at Southern Nash High School, where he met his wife of 54 years Anne Wells.
While at Southern Nash he developed the first High School Art Program for the southern end of Nash County.
Randy and his family moved to Farmville in 1970 to work for Farmville Furniture Company, one of the oldest businesses in Pitt County, and close to the oldest furniture store in North Carolina where he served proudly as the Owner and President until his passing.
During his time of living in Farmville he chaired the Chamber of Commerce and served as Administrative Board Chair of the present Farmville Methodist Church for 7 consecutive years. He was also a founding board member of the Farmville Community Arts Council and served till 1980. He was very instrumental in the negotiations for the Arts Council’s acquisition of the Paramount Movie Theater, purchasing it for $1. He remained on the board’s sub-committee overseeing the theater renovation from 1983-1987. He returned to the FCAC Board of Directors from 1991-1993, serving as Vice-Chair in 1993. His last term as FCAC Board Member was in 2008 and served as Treasurer in 2009, guiding FCAC through the Great Recession. He served on the Board of Southern Home Furnishing Association for several years. He was also a Trustee for Pitt Community College until his passing having been appointed by two consecutive Governors as well as having served as Chair of the Foundation Board for two years during his 18-year tenure on the Board. He also recently served as Chair of the Pitt County Development Commission.
Nine years ago, one of his proudest service areas began by helping form one of the most successful grassroots economic development groups in the area with three other concerned citizens. “The Farmville Group” has made a difference in Farmville, Pitt County and eastern North Carolina. He also served as Trustee of the DeVisconti Trust since 2016. He was also a long-time member of the Farmville Rotary Club.
Over the years Randy had one-man shows at the Greenville Museum of Art, Farmville Arts Council, DeVisconti Event Center, Wilson Arts Council, and Tarboro Arts Council. His work can be found in private collections throughout the Southeast, public buildings in Pitt County and in collections as far away as Saudi Arabia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Linwood Walters and Lena Coward Walters.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Wells Walters of the home. Sons and their spouses, Ryan and wife Meagan and Hunter and wife Melissa all of Farmville. Grandchildren, Alex and Katelynn Walters of Greenville, Bailey Walters of Raleigh, and Cameron Bagley of Farmville. Brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Carol Walters of Cleveland, TN. Nephew, Kevin Walters and his wife Amelia also of Cleveland, TN. Countless friends that he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers please consider organizations near and dear to his heart:
Pitt Community College Foundation
PO Drawer 7007
Greenville, NC 27835
East Carolina University School of Music
102 A.J. Fletcher Music Center
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
The family would like to thank everyone for all your love, support, phone calls, texts, meals, and all acts of kindness. The Farmville community has truly lost a valuable member.
A celebration of his life will be on Wednesday, November 22nd at 2pm at Farmville Methodist Church with visitation and a reception immediately following in the church fellowship hall. A private graveside service will be held.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Farmville Funeral Home.
FHS Class of 1964 Home Page