Mildred Ernestine Sadler Walls, 90, of Big Cove, died Monday at her residence. Mrs. Walls was a long time resident of the Big Cove Community, and a member of the Big Cove Holiness Church for 71 years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She was a retired secretary with 37 years of service with the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. Mrs. Walls graduated from Madison County High School (Gurley). While attending high school, she worked part time for SH Kress Co. in downtown Huntsville, and later, she went to work at General Shoe Corporation in Huntsville. She began her career with Civil Service in 1950 at Redstone Arsenal, where she received numerous awards, letters of appreciation, and commendations. She was particularly proud that she typed the letter that went to Washington, D.C. that got the first commissary approved for Redstone Arsenal.
Mrs. Walls began her altruistic/volunteer work when her daughter left for college, and her son left for the Marines. She volunteered for Red Cross at Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood Medical Center for 21 years, and then UAB Huntsville and the Community Free Clinic for 22 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Olivian (Drake) Sadler; brothers, Jesse Edward ‘J.E’, Billy, Odell and Bernard Sadler; sisters, Nellie Lorene Sadler, Alma (Sadler) Finch, and ex-husband, Unice Walton ‘Sonny’ Walls.
Survivors include her daughter, Karen Walls; son, Walton Walls (Rhonda); granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Rebecca Walls; great-granddaughter, Sophia Walls, all of Big Cove; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral Home Chapel with Brother Mark Warren, Brother Shannon Byrd, and Brother Josh Trotman officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or Kindred Hospice.
