FORKLAND &8212; Community members will memorialize a lady known to many as a community, family and church pillar.

Carrie Bell Walton, 71, of Forkland died on June 25, 2007, in Bowling Green, Ky., from injuries sustained in a bus accident, returning home with 50 members of her family following a family reunion in New York. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Forkland.

To most people here, Carrie Walton was known as Carrie Bell. She was a community friend, a supportive neighbor, a church volunteer and a loving mother and grandmother.

Affectionately known by family and friends as &8220;Cat,&8221; Walton was born and brought up in Forkland by Walter and Lucretia Hendricks. After the death of her parents, her aunt and uncle, Pirlie and Mahala Turner, reared her.

She attended grade school at the Birding School and then upper-grade school at Greene County Training School.

Walton was known for her kindness and courtesy. Even in her younger years, her fellow schoolmates recall her friendliness.

Albert Haywood Jr. and Walton were classmates throughout their school years.

Walton married Robert Walton in 1954 at her home church, Ebenezer Baptist Church. In 1955, she and her husband moved to Buffalo, N.Y., where they had five children, Shaun Renee&8217; Walton, Robert Walton Jr., Karen Lynn Clay, Jeffrey James Walton Sr. and Lillian Javada Walton.

After rearing her children in New York, the Waltons returned to Forkland, where Carrie Walton rekindled her connections with her friends and family in the community.

Fellow church member Lynette Woods echoed her sentiments about Carrie Walton.

Walton spent her life as a caregiver, Lillian Walton said of her mom&8217;s career as a certified nursinf assistant and her retirement years. Walton retired from the Greene County Hospital in Eutaw.

Woods said Walton was strongly involved in her church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and was strongly involved in Bible study.

Daisy Gilbert, a friend and fellow church member, described Walton as a good person who had a love for her church and the church family.

Woods said Walton would always attend Bible study.

Gilbert said Walton&8217;s love was not only for her church and her community.

Lillian Walton said her mother spent time playing catch with her six grandchildren, Jasmine, Jeffrey Jr., Jamir, Cara, Camille and Caroline Isabella.

Lillian Walton said her mother will also be remembered for her cooking.

Lillian Walton said one of her mother&8217;s favorite past times was talking on the phone with family and friends.

Carrie and Walton&8217;s friends also recall her love for life. Hollie M. McAlpine, a friend and cousin to Walton, said she and her friend would spend time visiting and traveling together.

McAlpine said she and Walton had plans to take a trip to Tuscaloosa following her family reunion in New York.

Haywood said he and his wife, Louise, also enjoyed Walton&8217;s company throughout her life.

Haywood said Walton would be remembered by for her warmth.

Lillian Walton said her mother enjoyed life.