Obituary of Erma Christine Dowd Walters

Erma "Christine" Dowd Walters (known by many as Sissy), 87, of Fayetteville, NC died Monday, September 25, 2023, at OakLeaf Retirement Village in Lexington, SC. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and Sissy to her family.

Christine was born April 27, 1936, in Fayetteville, NC to the late Leonard Curtis Dowd and Erma Hearn Dowd. Christine worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Quality Parts of Fayetteville and 301 Truck Stop. In 1980, David and Christine opened David R. Walters Antiques in the shadow of the Market House in downtown Fayetteville. In 1985, they relocated the business to the top of Haymount Hill.  They worked together for 40+ years, building a business where David refinished furniture and Sissy cared for the accessories sold inside the shop. It became a place that people would come and stay for hours, sipping coffee or cider, and building long-lasting relationships where customers became family. It was common for Sissy to visit customer's homes, providing thoughts on decorating with various accessories from the store. The business flourished, and together Sissy and David made an impact on the lives of many across Fayetteville through their small business. Stronger than her sense of décor, was her faith in God and her love for family and friends. She was forever devoted to David, her family, and friends, putting the needs of others first, and that created lasting ties to those that knew her. Sissy’s smile would warm your heart.

David and Christine met at Stedman High School and married in May of 1954. They lived for a short time off Cedar Creek Road before moving to Brookside Avenue in 1967, where they lived until 2021. They joined Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, where Christine was active in Sunday School, several support activities, including the benevolence committee, children's choir, and vacation bible school. David and Christine both had a love of Christ that was a role model for the entire family. She loved her boys, their wives, and the grandkids and great grandkids. Holidays and family gatherings were extremely special, always including meals in a large setting, finished off with dessert by the fire. Sissy was always supporting others, within her family and friends through Snyder and across Fayetteville. David and Sissy were married for 68 years before he died in 2022.

Christine was preceded in death by her husband, David Walters; her parents, Leonard and Erma Dowd, and siblings, Gene Dowd of Dunn, NC, Buddy Dowd of White Oak, NC, and Curtis Dowd of Fayetteville, NC.

Christine is survived by her loving family; sons, Rod Walters (Susan) of Lexington, SC, Stuart Walters (Beth) of Fayetteville, NC, and Louis Walters (Susan), of Salisbury, NC; siblings, Katheleen Davis (Donald), Brenda Weathington, and Joe Dowd (Violet); seven grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.

The family appreciates the tremendous support provided by OakLeaf Village and All Seasons Hospice. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.  The family will receive relatives and friends at 10am, with a service at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Faithful Workers Sunday School Class Mission Fund at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28305.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.