Walt Pullen: Kindness You Could Count On

On June 6, Mentone said goodbye to someone who had been part of the town’s fabric for a long while. Thomas Walter “Walt” Pullen, 76, passed away at his home. Born here in 1948 to Bill and Grace Pullen, Walt was the kind of person who made Mentone feel like home to a lot of folks.

Walt Pullen in 2016, enjoying breakfast at the Mentone Market.

Walt was a familiar face to many. He was a breakfast regular at the market for years. He was also a staunch supporter of MERF.

Former MERF Executive Director Sarah Wilcox shared:

“Walt was a dedicated and active MERF board member from its early days until late 2023. He contributed his time, skills, and knowledge to maintain the grounds, house, and assist with festival and auction setups. Many board meetings ended with Walt sharing rich stories of Mentone’s history and its people…” Sarah said. “He always had a smile, wore his beloved overalls, and was ready for a MERF lunch. My favorite memory is the day he stopped mowing MERF’s lawn to come tell me about his new girlfriend, Gelane, who soon became his wife.”

Walt is survived by his wife Gelane, his children and stepchildren, a number of grandkids and great-grandkids, siblings, and extended family. And while he lost loved ones over the years, he carried their memory with quiet strength.

Mentone won’t be quite the same without Walt, but the people who knew him — who sat and talked with him, laughed with him, or simply waved across a parking lot — will remember.

His family has asked that those wishing to honor him consider donating to Bankhead Cemetery (P.O. Box 193, Mentone, AL 35984).