Geraldine Elaine "Gerry" Walton

Geraldine Elaine 'Gerry' Walton, 77, of Manhattan, passed away Friday, January 16th, at Good Shepherd Hospice House. Gerry was born in Manhattan, on July 10, 1937, a daughter of the late Helen Joy (Keele) and Ernest G. Baker. Geraldine 'Gerry' Baker Walton served 34 years as a librarian at Manhattan Public Library in Manhattan, Kansas. For more than half of those years she was Head Reference Librarian and in 2009 was appointed to the Manhattan Library Board. She served on many boards and committees in the city of Manhattan. In 2005, she and the Manhattan Juneteenth Committee received the Mayor's Award 'Best Community Portrayal/Representation,' in Manhattan's 150th Year Celebration parade. In 2008, she received the 'The Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community service Award' from the city of Manhattan. She also received the 'Appreciation Award' from the Manhattan Juneteenth Committee and Manhattan NAACP and a scholarship was dedicated in her name. After her library retirement in 2003, Mrs. Walton spent two years researching and writing '140 Years of Soul: A History of African Americans in Manhattan, Kansas 1865-2005.' Her book serves as an authority on Black History in Manhattan and is used in several Kansas State University history classes. In 2011, in celebration of Kansas' 150th birthday, the State Library of Kansas included '140 Years of Soul' in its list of the '150 Best Kansas Books.' Sections of her book were also used in the Bethel A.M.E Church in Manhattan, Kansas nomination for the National Register of Historic Places and the church was added to the list on May 30, 2012. 'Documenting my community's history was a dream that I've had for years,' she said. Mrs. Walton was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas and traveled to Germany, France, and Holland. Mrs. Walton was the Mother of four children; son: Karl & Wandean Rivers of Manhattan; daughters; Brenda Williams of Wichita, Kansas; Carmen & Alvin Reid of Kirkwood, Mo.; and Karen & Chuck Crawford of Hominy, Oklahoma. She was grandmother of ten, great-grandmother of eight and great-great grandmother of two. She also was preceded by her parents and eight brothers and sisters. She says as a child 'I thought I would never leave Manhattan. But little girls grow up and there are many possibilities ahead. Documenting my community's history was a dream that I've had for years.' While in sixth grade, Mrs. Walton learned the poem 'Don't Give Up' by Phoebe Cary. 'It has been with me all my life. So I tell children to follow your dream and 'Don't give up.' ' A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, at 11:00am on Saturday, January 24th, with Rev. Patrick McLaughlin officiating. Inurnment will be at the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan. Family request donations to First United Methodist Church 612 Poyntz Manhattan, KS 66502 or Manhattan Public Library 629 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502.