John Kellan Walters was born December 5, 1977 to his family of three—W. Scott Walters, Mary Lightsey Walters, and his brother David Reeves Walters. He was born into the Kingdom of God in August 1989, and his father had the privilege of baptizing him. He entered into his heavenly home on September 4, 2025.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents Trenton R. Lightsey, Thelma Kelly Lightsey, H. C. (Jimmy) Walters and Edna Landrum Walters, step grandparents Haskel L. Stringer and Mollie Herrington Stringer, an uncle, Otho G. (Gail) James and cousin, Ralph (Babs) Johnson.

He is survived by his mother and step-father Douglas Stringer; his brother and two step sisters Carrie (Terry) Tucker and Chloe (Kenny) Niemeyer; niece, Lucy Walters; nephews, Jack Walters and Kellan Walters; two aunts, Gail James and Janice Walters Glenn; first cousins Babs Johnson, Billy (Tracey) James and Candi Glenn; step-first cousins, Douglas (Cass) Lofton, Trent Tucker, and Tori (Will) Mitchell; and many cousins. In addition, he is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Stringer family who drew him in as their own.

Kell graduated from Taylorsville High School where he earned five MHSAA 2A state titles in distance running. He attended Meridian Community College two years on a track scholarship and transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a B.S. Degree in Business. At the time of his death he had been employed as a field service technician at Howard Industries for approximately eight years.

Kell loved his family, church family, and co-workers. He was kind to all animals, but he loved cats. His niece and two nephews were the apples of his eye. He was a quiet, compassionate, giving person. Even now as a registered organ donor Kell is giving extended life or a better quality of life to people he had never met. His work took him on brief trips all over the United States, but when he was home he seldom missed a service or activity at New Home Baptist Church where he was active in Sunday School and choir. He enjoyed packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at the church and working on local mission projects. He was part of several disaster relief teams.

Kell was loved, and he will be missed, but he is now in the presence of the Lord and others who have gone on before him. He would encourage others to find the way to an eternal home in heaven—Christ alone.

Visitation will be Tuesday night, September 9, 2025, from 6:30pm until 8:00pm  at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Bay Springs. Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 11:00am  at New Home Baptist Church in Smith County. Grave side services will follow at New Home Cemetery.

To view and sign online guestbook, please visit www.colonialchapelbaysprings.com