Jessie R. Walker was born May 16, 1916, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Joe Jenkins and Mattie Adams. She was the youngest of six children. Preceding her in death were her parents, Joe and Mattie, her beloved husband, Wellington Walker, her five sisters, Irene Swopes, Pearl Logan, Less Martin, Maple Henry, Everline Wilson, and her three daughters, Barbara Walker, Doris Jackson, and Marie Fowler, respectively. On December 25, 1934, she united in Holy Matrimony to the late Mr. Wellington Walker at the Elm Grove Baptist Church, in Coy, Arkansas. To their union, seven children were born, Marie (Fowler), James M. Walker, Janet (Bowdry), Doris (Jackson), Barbara Walker, Edward W. Walker, and Jessie L. Walker. She attended Washington Technical High School here in St. Louis. After high school she attended Homer G. Phillips School of Nursing, where she received her license in health care. Mother, as she was affectionately called by her children and everyone that knew her, was a hard worker. She was an awesome seamstress too. She worked in the field of nursing, retiring from the Harry S. Truman Restorative Center in September 1983. She loved her grandchildren, recording all thirty-one of their names in her Bible. Mother Walker was a member of the Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church for several years, before becoming a member of the Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in 1968, under the leadership of the late Elder Robert Fowler, and current Pastor, Elder Michael J. Fowler. She served in the capacity of Church Mother; she was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Sewing Circle, and President of the Prayer and Bible Band. Mother Walker had a quiet spirit; she was sweet and known for passing out peppermint candy. She always had encouraging words to share with others! Even at the age of ninety-five, she would get so excited talking about the Lord! Mother Walker received many awards of recognition for her excellent service and her faithfulness. She loved her spiritual family! On Monday, January 17, 2012, Mother Jessie Walker went home to be with the Lord. She received God's promise of seventy years of life, plus twenty-five more. She loved the Lord and her family in that order! We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8 Her labor of love will be remembered by both her natural and church families. She leaves her legacy to cherish her memory: two sons, James and Edward (Juanita) Walker; two daughters, Janet Bowdry, and Jessie L. Walker; one daughter-in-law; thirty-one grandchildren; two of whom she raised as her children, Mark Walker and Melanie Norfleet (Kevin). She also leaves numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; one niece, one nephew and a host of friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Mother Jessie Walker. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.