Tami was called home to spread her love in heaven and join her much-loved father, Kenneth T. Walton as he cleared heaven’s path for her. Now together, we know they are reunited and planning their ways to make others’ lives better.
Tami was vice president and past president of S.W.IL Federation of Teachers BASSC Local Council 6600. As president of S.W.IL BASSC 6600 she started a project to feed the hungry students in the district. The project has grown to assist fifty families with food and provided Christmas gifts to seven families. She also worked for Walton’s fish and chicken fry. Everyone knew and loved her. Tami was one in a million who touched everyone around her with her heart of gold.
Loved ones that will miss Tami until they meet again are her husband Jim Cogdill; her mother Jeanette, nee Ramsey, Walton; two brothers Kenneth G. (Toni) Walton, Michael D. (Amy) Walton, and a sister Michelle B. (Joe) Morrison; and Aunt Jerris Wilson.
Spoiling one more than the other, Tami was blessed to be a proud and devoted aunt and great aunt. She supported, encouraged and bragged on all nine of her nieces and nephews, Joseph (Sheliah) Morrison; Megan Morrison; Shawn Morrison (special friend, Mackenzie); Sarah (Ryan) Russell; Becky Walton; Jennifer Walton; Christopher Walton; Luke Walton and Mason Walton. She loved to watch her eight great nieces and nephews grow and spoil each of them too. Rylee Morrison, Paisley Morrison, Faith Russell, Sarah Russell, Joshua Russell, William Russell, Bailee Morrison and Oliver Gravot will grow up learning and knowing about their amazing great aunt Tami who cared so deeply for everyone.
Knowing Tami, you knew someone who loved life and was always on the go making life better for others. By her caring, generous and hardworking personality, she always went out of her way to make this world a better place. In Tami’s eyes, no child should go hungry, no child without a gift and no person should not feel loved and special. She was amazing at giving of herself to make others feel better. Tami never met a stranger and you felt like a lifelong friend with her hug and a smile. Her personality was nurturing and firm when you needed her love but true honesty.
Tami put her heart and soul into caring for “her kids” with BASSC at Freeburg Grade School. It was always a treat as she greeted customers with a smile on her face while helping her family at Walton’s Fish Fry and Walton’s Ice Cream shop. Tami was a great role model as a Youth Group Leader at Union/Journey Church and helped lead many service projects and charitable donations.
What Tami lacked in size she made up for in the size of her heart and the generosity to the community and everyone around her.
Tami’s zest for life will be missed but remembered as an inspiration for everyone to live life for others. In honor of Tami, memorials can be made to Autism Speaks. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Union United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL, and also from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2017 at the Journey Church, Freeburg, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Journey Church, Freeburg, IL, with Rev. Carri Carnes officiating.
Burial will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.