Olivia is a soft-spoken, patient and loving wife, balancing out her tough-skinned, opinionated husband, John. She is gentle by nature, yet firm in discipline and unafraid to speak up when necessary. She is a devout Baptist, immersed in the life of her church and, therefore, typically the first person to take in a friend or stranger in need.

INSP viewers chose their favorite Walton – here’s what some said about Olivia…

From ~ Patricia, Alabama

I like Olivia and have a lot of respect for her because the first place she looks for her strength is the Lord. No matter what comes up she goes straight to the bible. I have watched a particular show, I cannot remember which one, but she went to the bible to get the answers she needed. I too was having a bad day, and didn’t think I could make it. Everything was going wrong that could. I am a Christian and ashamed to say I have let my faith slide. I have recently lost my job, and all is going downhill. Watching the shows, I realize I am blessed and loved no matter what comes. I hope you never stop the shows. Olivia is my inspiration – trying to provide for her family in difficult times. When we stumble, God always sends an angel to pick us up. We just have to be careful not to ignore them, whether it is on TV or in real life.

From ~ Andrea, Alabama

Goodness, I love them all!!! But I think Olivia is a great mother and wife. I am inspired when I watch her. And hope I can be at least a little like her in my role as wife and mother!!!!

From ~ LaLanie, Washington

She was the heart of the family, the example of a biblical wife, mother, and woman. Her strength and devotion as a wife and mother can still be a wonderful example to families today.

From ~ Pam, Nevada

She is the epitome of the depression-era mother, very wise and loving.

From ~ Christina, Nebraska

Liv is the stronghold in the family. She has an amazing grace about her and her faith is unwavering. She has so much love for her children and her husband and she knows there are times they will disappoint her but she is always quick to forgive!

From ~ Kim, Pennsylvania

Olivia is the type of mother I would have loved to have. One who stood by her values and loved her children unconditionally. She is a true inspiration for all mothers. I love watching her interact with her children, her husband, John’s parents, and her friends. She shows love and respect for all of them. I wish I would have been as good a mother/person as Olivia.

From ~ Diann, North Carolina

Olivia reminds me of my mom – always kind and showing all the love that she had to offer. Mom always backed us kids, no matter what we had done. Like Olivia, we could always depend on her. She always had three hot meals on the table for us, made the most wonderful cookies with the most wonderful soft icing between the cookies.

From ~ Sarah, Nebraska

She is a strong woman, raising a family with lots of kids is hard work. She can face the worst with a smile and pull her family through anything. She is the glue that holds her family together.

From ~ Sandra, Maryland

When my children were little and I would come home from work at 6:00 they knew it was Mom’s time to watch The Waltons. Olivia taught me good parenting skills. Even today I look to her to show me how I can be a better mother and person (my children are much older now). I missed my Walton family and I’m thankful to see them on INSP.

From ~ Susie, Georgia

I think that Olivia was the backbone of the family. Her strong beliefs in God and the Bible were what held the family together through good and bad times. Her faith would be challenged, but in the end, she knew that the Lord would never fail her. Even though the father or the children didn’t see eye-to-eye about her beliefs, she still continued to trust in what she knew was the right thing to do. Even when she knew as a good Baptist not to judge, she was human and made mistakes. She never was too proud to say that she was wrong in her thinking and ask for forgiveness. With eleven mouths to feed, she barely had enough food for her own family, but she always had a place for one more hungry man, woman or child at her table. She always reminded everyone really how blessed they were and how thankful they should be. Her principles never wavered, and even as the children grew older she continued to pray and counsel them to pray also about their problems. Her wisdom along with her love and her commitment to the Lord proved that no matter what, she would never give up on her children. How refreshing it would be if the world could get ahold of this concept for children nowadays. My mom loved The Waltons too, but she passed away several months ago. I know that I miss her wisdom and prayers. I know that she is in the presence of the Lord, a place that we all long to be.

From ~ Connie, Tennessee

She was a strong and loving mother and lived with her mother-in-law! And she was a church-going woman who made sure her kids attended as well…practically the perfect mother!

From ~ Kelsey, New York

My favorite character is Olivia Walton because she is a beautiful lady inside and out. She cares deeply for everyone, especially her family. She has dreams, some unfulfilled, but she doesn’t regret anything. Olivia is human and sometimes makes mistakes, but she always admits her wrongs. Olivia is passionate about her kids and those she loves. She’s an inspiring lady!

From ~ Martha, North Carolina

Olivia was the Godly-mother determined to raise her children with a firm background in faith, responsibility, respect, and love. She was the Godly homemaker and wife who made sure to bring the family together at the table every evening!

From ~ Michele, Oregon

I love the way Olivia loved her children and wanted only the best. She had very strong morals and values that withstood through everything. Without Olivia I think the show would not have been The Waltons.

From ~ Samantha, Arkansas

She was such a wonderful example to me as a mother not to mention a wife to a man who did not do everything she thought he should at times. She always showed her husband respect even when she did not agree with him. She taught her children with a firm, yet gentle hand. She was respectful to her mother-in-law and father-in-law, even when they sometimes tried to usurp her authority over the children. She was not perfect, sometimes having the desire to run away or do something different. She was a ‘real’ person, human like the rest of us.

From ~ Becky, Wisconsin

She is an inspiration to mothers all over. I always learn something about motherhood when I watch this show and have been watching it for many, many years. I can relate to her everyday trials and tribulations with the family. I watch her as a daily inspiration, The show grounds me and makes me so very happy for the family that I myself have, and makes me miss the family that are in heaven. As long as The Waltons are on TV I will be watching and loving the family love, loyalty and hardships that they all endured and made them the truly happy family that they are. Thanks for airing my most favorite of programs.

From ~ Vivien, Pennsylvania

I live, breathe, and very much want to be exactly like Olivia. She has the characteristics that I believe to be a good Christian mom, wife, and friend. I always admired her and always wanted to have a house full of children and live in the country. Well I have a son and live in the country, but would still love to be like her. Hey, and my husband’s name is John and we just celebrated our 42nd anniversary. God Bless Earl Hamner and The Waltons cast.

From ~ Gerry, Massachusetts

She is very much like my wife – loving, caring, and not judgmental. Our married kids still come to her for advice. I am a lucky man as was John (dad) on The Waltons.

From ~ Lynn, Maine

Mother Walton was strong and in control when needed, yet soft-spirited and gentle when that was needed also. Her favorite child was the one that needed her the most or the child that was the most sick at any given time. The actress (Michael Learned) who portrayed the mother was perfect for the role. She was a perfect example of what a MOTHER should be for those of us sitting in front of our television sets watching the show. She reminded me of my own dear mother and of my mother-in-law also. I had two wonderful examples to watch and look up to. When I became a mother myself I tried to build my own mother image for my family into the kind of mothers I had for my example.

From ~ Deborah, Virginia

She is a remarkable mother and wife. She is so compassionate and kind to everyone that she meets. She has a lovely personality and the love she has for her family is so wonderful. Her family is so blessed to have her as a mom. We could only with that the world had more moms like her.

From ~ Debbie, Missouri

Olivia was always an inspiration in our lives when my mother and I watched The Waltons. We never missed an episode. It was always a family-night setting in front of the TV watching The Waltons. Now that I am grown, I still watch The Waltons daily on INSP. Thank you for bringing the best family show there has ever been back to TV!

From ~ Ruthie, Florida

Olivia is my favorite Walton because I see myself in her. Though I only had one child I love the way that she truly cares for and nurtures her children. You can see that she really put her all into the role as the mother and that is the way that I raised my daughter. She is truly an inspiration to all women.

From ~ Carol, Delaware

When I watched this show as a teen, Erin was my favorite because we were close in age and I could relate to her character’s challenges and I was said to look like her double. Now as a much older girl I relate more to Olivia. As a mother, I relate to many of the issues she faced through the years. I hope that in the future I will look to Grandma as I go through that stage of life.

From ~ Beverly, Texas

What a great person. The way she spoke to her children … if only today’s parents would sit and watch her and listen to her words, what a great lesson they would learn.

From ~ Kurt, Colorado

I used to enjoy watching The Waltons as a teenager during the 70′s. I could relate to the younger ones in the family and their adolescent problems. I started watching The Waltons again as an adult last year while I was facing difficult times. I found inspiration and faith watching the same program on INSP 35 years later. I now have a deeper appreciation for the parents and how they faced and handled adversity. It just overwhelms me to tears at times how much love John and Olivia shared during such difficult economic times. Miss Michal Learned is a beautiful and talented actress that portrays a plain and simple mother with such deep convictions so well. She is the reason I started to watch your program every day…sometimes twice a day.