Mary Brinham Walton (nee Arnold), 79, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026.
Born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1947, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Lester Dallas Arnold Jr. and Ann Tabb Light.
Mary was a woman of deep faith and a dedicated, long-term member of the First Baptist Church of Front Royal, where she found great community, fellowship, and peace throughout her life.
Professionally, Mary spent many years working alongside Dr. Favereau, where her capability and warm demeanor left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. Outside of her work and church community, Mary’s home was a reflection of her joyful spirit. She had a lifelong passion for reading books, always finding joy and comfort in turning their pages. She also had a delightful love for penguins and was an avid collector, a unique passion that brought smiles to all who visited her. She looked forward immensely to her annual trips to the coast, happily traveling to the beach with whoever was ready to go along with her.
Mary was married to Robert Kipps Walton Jr., with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Her greatest focus and joy were her family, and her legacy of love will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Kipps Walton Jr.; her two sons, Robert Kipps Walton III (Denise) and Michael Tabb Walton (Susan); her brother, Lester Dallas Arnold III (Barrett); and her seven grandchildren, Genesis Henry (Jesse), Michael Walker (Shannon), Thomas Walker (Destiny), Taylor Walton, Morgan Walton, Donovan Walton, and Heather Walton. She is also survived by her six beloved great-grandchildren, Myleigh, Vayda, Letti, and Branson Walker, Phillip Maddox Jr. and Carmody Maddox.
Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Sally McNeal Walton; her sister, Ann Clay Arnold; and her parents, Lester Dallas Arnold Jr. and Ann Tabb Light.
A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Front Royal, VA. A visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life Service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM with The Reverend Michael Williams officiating. Following the service, all guests are invited to join the family for a fellowship meal in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to First Baptist Church of Front Royal, 14 W. 1st St., Front Royal, VA 22630.