Walter DePriest

 Life Reflections

Walter DePriest was born on March 3, 1919, in Verona, Mississippi to Randall and Love (Brandon) DePriest, who were from Gadsden, AL. He was the sixth child of seven children born to this union. 

Walter grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi on the family farm.  He retained his love for growing things and food throughout his life. He left Mississippi in 1940 and went to St. Louis, MO with his brother. There he worked until he was drafted the United States Army in 1941 and served 3 years.  In the Army he worked under General Patton as a delivery driver on the Red Ball Express. When the war ended, he returned to St. Louis where he acquired a job with the Railroad which took him to Washington State and Oregon. After his job ended in the Pacific Northwest he went to Kansas City, KS.

Walter work for Armour Packing House where he worked for 25 years. He later worked for Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in Desoto, Kansas.  He retired from Construction in 1980 and was a member of Local 1290. 

On September 3, 1951, he married Mary Elizabeth Davis and to this union one child was born, Evelyn (Bill) Gilbert. The two were happily married for 33 years.

Walter passed away July 19, 2021, at the age of 102.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth DePriest, his parents, and 6 siblings, Ernest (Betty) Frierson; Milo (Rennie Mae) Frierson; Ira Lee (Nora) Frierson; Raymond; Leola Frierson Crayton; and Willie (Della Mae) DePriest.

Walter Leaves to cherish his memory, 4 daughters: Evelyn (William) Gilbert of Kansas City, MO; Pam Scroggins of North Kansas City, MO; Charlotte Dickey of Raytown, MO; and Mya Thomas of Kansas City, KS; 11 grandchildren: Dayne Dorsey of Tijauna, Mexico; Finis Dorsey of North Kansas City, MO; Gina Dorsey and Deitre Dorsey of North Kansas City, MO; Aaron Dorsey of Lee’s Summit, MO; Afton Dorsey, Cayment Depriest, Chris Dorsey and William Gilbert all of Kansas City, MO, 13 great-grandchildren; nieces: Louise Fuel of Kansas City, MO; Betty Ford of Mississippi; Doletha Grayson of Tupelo, MS; and Christine Frierson of Gulfport, MS, 3 nephews: Robert Ruff of Kansas City, MO; Kenny Frierson of St. Louis, MO; and Willie Depriest of Kansas City, KS and a host of relatives and friends.

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