Mary Elizabeth Walsh

Mary Elizabeth Benjamin Crayton Walsh, 98, a long-time resident of Arlington, passed away Friday afternoon, July 24, 2020. There will not be a service. Beth was born October 1, 1921, to Merle Wilson Benjamin and Mary Lee Lybrand Benjamin in Dallas. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1939 where she served as the class secretary. In 1941 she earned a degree from Tarleton Agricultural College. Two years later she married James Jefferson Crayton, Jr. shortly before he left for Asia to fight in the Second World War as a pilot and Captain in The Eighth Air Force. After the war, Beth and Jimmy started a family. Cynthia Lee was born in 1944 and James Jefferson III was born in 1947. They would be married for 43 years before his death in 1985. In April of 1996, Beth married Douglas Ernest Walsh, Jr., a childhood friend and fellow 1939 graduate of Woodrow Wilson. They spent almost six years traveling, dancing, attending Dallas Maverick games and enjoying their combined family gatherings. Doug passed away in 2002. Beth was a founding member of The Arlington Civic League, a leader in Bible Study Fellowship, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a devoted member of Arlington Presbyterian Church. She was a gracious hostess who loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family. She enjoyed playing bridge and just about any other game including dominoes and spit. She liked to sew and do needlework and was a gifted cook. One of her favorite “dates” was having a hamburger and a Diet Coke at Juniors Grill with her best friend, Melba Mayfield. Beth will be missed by the many people who loved her. She was a kind, loving and generous spirit. The family wants to thank the caregivers and staff at Heartis Arlington and the “angels” at Alev Hospice for their kind and excellent care of our mother. SURVIVORS Beth is survived by her daughter Cindy Wilson and her husband, Jack of Arlington; her son Jeff Crayton and his wife, Margaret of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Matthew Bane and his partner, Hariet van der Put, of Arlington, Massachusetts; Julie Bane Hundley, MD and her husband Drew Hundley, MD of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Josh Crayton of Reno, Nevada; Noah Crayton of Aurora, Colorado; Claire Crayton of Sedona, Arizona; great grandchildren Callie and Hayes Hundley and Lucca and Isabeau Bane; the loving family of Doug Walsh; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233