Avis Venita (Roach) Walker

Avis Venita (Roach) Walker, age 100, of Stockton, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Via Christi Village Care Center, Hays, Kansas.

She was born November 22, 1924, in rural Osborne County, Kansas, to Orva and Lillian (Lampman) Roach.

She was a cook for over 50 years in most all the restaurants in Stockton. She also was the cook for many years at the Episcopal youth summer camp “Camp Pecusa” at Lake Webster, which was during the 1960s and 1970s. Avis grew up on the family farm in Alton, Kansas, and graduated from Harlan High School in 1941. She enjoyed her flower and vegetable gardening at her home in Stockton and always made time for her family. For the last seven months, she has lived at the Via Christi Village Care Center.

Avis is survived by her sons, David Lawson and Devere Walker, both of Hays; her daughters, Darla Riggs, Grand Junction, Colo., Durelle Smith and husband Randy, Hutchinson; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and her three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orva and Lillian Roach; her son, Dana Lawson; her brother, Clifford Roach; her infant brother, Paul Roach; her sisters, Beryl Schoenberg, Velva Reinking, and Euleta Gregory; her daughter-in-law, Mary Elaine Lawson; and a great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, with Rev. Steve Schultz officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Via Christi Village, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com