Ann and Jerry Walton of Fayetteville have the golden touch. It is evident the minute you enter

the couple's warm but elegant Southern traditional

brick home. Gold-edged poinsettias entwined with

gilt ribbon and greenery hug the balustrade of the

curving stairway leading to the upstairs. A

Christmas tree glitters in the foyer, one of a dozen

decorating the spacious, decorator's dream home. The

splendor of the holidays is played out in every room,

with Ann's collectibles taking center stage.

The Waltons' home is one of five notable residences featured on the Fourteenth Annual

Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the First

United Methodist Church of Fayetteville on Friday, Dec.

4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Tickets are available from

the church for a $12 donation.

"We came home four years ago," Ann

Walton said, recalling her and husband Jerry's decision

to buy a house in Fayette County. They lived for

many years in West Palm Beach, Fla., where they

own Walton Insurance Services, Inc. "Jerry is

from Jonesboro and I was raised in Omega," Walton

said. "Our daughter lives here and we have a son

in Marietta."

An impressive array of Byers carolers wooden figures which come in an endless variety of costumes and

occupations are hung on a compact little tree in the couple's massive

family room. "I've been collecting them for about seven or eight

years," Walton said. Santas of every size and shape fill the hearth

and bachelor's chest, including a four-foot tall model which was crafted

the White House. There are Santas made of gourds, Santas made

from buoys and a terra cotta Santa from New Mexico. The Waltons

have acquired many of their treasures while traveling.

"I love to go antiquing," Walton said. Other finds have included

a large mahogany secretary said to have occupied an old

Tennessee plantation home and a print discovered in Mississippi which

was matted and framed and now hangs over the family room mantel.

Old black and white photos of the Waltons' parents share

table space with new color pictures and portraits of children and

grandchildren. "I just love pictures," Walton said.

Probably the most treasured portrait in the Walton home is one

of Ann and her sister Evangeline which was painted from a

childhood photograph. "It was the only picture my mother had of the two of

us," Walton recalled.

A white enamel kitchen cupboard which belonged to

Walton's mother occupies a prominent spot in the kitchen. It is filled with

floral tea cups and another clutch of miniature portraits.

This is the second tour the Walton home has been selected for

this year. A tour of local gardens featured the grounds this past

spring. "After this, I think we'll be done with tours for awhile," sighed

Walton. But the impending open house has not changed the family's

Thanksgiving plans. "We'll all be eating here," Walton said, "but we may

use paper plates!"

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