Hometown: Fort Worth;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: B.A. in English from Texas Christian University; M.D. from Wright State School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio; Residency in Pediatrics at Dayton Children’s Hospital;
Profession: Pediatrician (retired);
Tell us about your family.
I’ve been married to Jim Walton for 43 years. We have four adult sons, Steven, Daniel, Ben and Andrew. They have all become young men we genuinely admire and respect. We also have two grandkids (Kennedy, 6, and Carter, 3), who make Yaya’s and Pop’s house so much more fun when they’re around. They and their parents, Steven and Ashley, are members at Wilshire.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I practiced general pediatrics in Waxahachie for many years and then moved to the CitySquare Community Health Clinic in Fair Park, which allowed me to focus on caring for underserved, underinsured kids in Dallas. Healthcare disparity among races and genders remains a significant interest for me. I’ve also been fortunate to practice internationally in several countries, including 10 trips to a remote area in Guatemala to work with Mayan children.
Any favorite hobbies?
I love to read, and I have a huge collection of children’s pop-up books.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up in a devout Southern Baptist home, for which I am grateful, but I’ve also gone through a long process of unlearning some things I was taught as a child, especially around what the Bible says about women.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We visited Wilshire shortly after we moved to Dallas in 2013. That morning, we heard a wonderful sermon from a female pastoral resident, and the offering plate was passed to us by a teenage girl. We felt like we had finally found a church where everyone was invited to participate in every capacity.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
We are members of the Epiphany Class, where we have developed deep friendships that are very precious to us. I am a Stephen Minister, a deacon and serve on the Pathways Committee. I previously served on the Missions Committee, Preschool Committee, the Inclusion and Diversity Study Group and a resident lay support team. Being a member of the Study Group was an intense and time-consuming process, but incredibly gratifying, as I came to respect the transparent and diligent way Wilshire leaders facilitate process as well as their willingness to move in a more loving, inclusive direction despite criticism. Wilshire is a wonderful example of how the body of Christ is strengthened when everyone is welcomed to the table.
*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)