Bettye Jo Walker

On Friday, January 29, 2016, Mother Bettye Jo Walker left these terrestrial shores, quietly and peacefully, to live in her eternal home in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Betty Jo was the oldest of eight children born to the late Elder Joe & Sister Annie Webb on August 27, 1936, in Fleming, KY.  At the tender age of two years old, her parents migrated to West Virginia.  Mother Walker completed her formal education in the West Virginia School System.  In 1954, Mother Walker graduated high school in Elkhorn, West Virginia.

Her father felt the call to shepherd God’s people so their little mission was birthed in the living room of their two story home.   Mother Walker was the secretary of the Sunday School.   She was pleased with the responsibility and took great pride in recording minutes and being called upon to read the minutes from the Sunday before.  During this Pastoral time, her mother decided that their mission needed music to help enhance their religious services.  Her mother purchased a piano although she couldn’t play.  Her mother stated, “God will teach me how to make music unto Him”.  The Lord didn’t teach her how to play the piano.  One day Mother Walker just sat down at the piano and began to make chords using the triads.  Thus began her responsibility as the church pianist.  She began leading the church in song services. She was now the Sunday School secretary, the church pianist, and also the church psalmist.  During their pastoral mission, the Lord saved her.

Twenty-Four hours following graduation, she moved to the “big city of Columbus”.  She began singing throughout Columbus with the Gaither Sisters.  During the same year, she met her handsome, lifelong soul mate and companion, the late Brother Melvin Walker.  In 1957, Melvin married his “FOX”.  To this union, four children were born; three beautiful daughters and one handsome son.

In 1963, the Walker’s relocated to Jamaica Queens, New York.  While in New York, Mother Walker received her Bachelors of Science Degree from the St. Joseph’s College in 1978.  She was also certified by New York State in Drug and Family Counseling for youth.  The Walker’s attended The Old Refuge Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.  While there, Mother Walker was very active in ministry.  She was a member of the Missionary Department, Sunday School, Choir, Transportation Ministry, ABYPU President, as well as an Altar Worker.

In 1980, the Walker’s moved back to Columbus, Ohio.  Mother Walker had a passion for teaching children.  As an educator, she began teaching at Sonshine Christian Academy.  While at Sonshine, she taught a plethora of classes as well as assisting the late Deborah A. Jackson with administrative duties.  She was employed at Sonshine Christian Academy for 23 years.  Mother Walker also taught at South East Christian Academy.  She had a bond with all of her students.  Even after her students transitioned to other schools, she often went to their high school and college graduations as well as sowed monetary gifts.

Once back in Columbus, Mother Walker continued with ministry.  She attended Eliezer Church of Christ under the tutelage of the late Bishop Sandy Dunlap.  She has been a faithful member of Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ for 35 years.  While here at Rehoboth, she has served under the tutelage of the late Bishop Kenneth L. Bligen and Apostle Bradford Berry.   Mother Walker has served as a member of the RTC Nurses Unit, Pianist for the Temple Choir, Sunday School Teacher for the Teen Girls and Women’s Class, Altar Worker, Prison Ministry and not to mention a Prayer Warrior.

Mother Walker continued her growth in the Word.  She spent many hours in her personal Bible study.  She graduated from Rhema Christian Center with a degree in Ministerial Alliance Studies.

Working for the Lord, has been her mission in life.  In 2002, Mother Walker was appointed into the office of the Ohio State Missionary President.  She took this sacred office seriously.  She made sure that she was always connected with all of the Missionary Departments within Church of our Lord Jesus Christ; state of Ohio.  She was in attendance to all State Meetings, Planning Sessions (Local & International), Region VI meetings, as well as the International Convocations.  Lynn was her chauffeur to the International Planning Sessions otherwise you would she her with her “traveling buddy”, Sister Florence Holmes.  Mother Walker attained a lifetime membership status in the International Missionary Department of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a family matriarch, she devoted her life to and for her family.  Given too much hospitality, Mother Walker opened her home freely to those who sought wise counsel.

Continuing to serve with humility and grace, Mother Walker was a wonderful example of a virtuous woman.  She was always willing to listen and advise women of all ages and walks of life in the things of God.  She was full of Godly wisdom and knowledge to share with both men and women of the Kingdom. She is highly respected and regarded throughout the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ organization.  Mother Bettye Jo Walker was truly a blessing to all who came to know and love her.  Mother Walker was a phenomenal teacher, mentor, Woman of God, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch.  Simply put, she was truly a “treasured gift to the Body of Christ”.

Mother Walker’s favorite scripture is Isaiah 43:1c-2, “Fear not for I have redeemed you:  I have summoned you by name:  You are mine.  When you pass through the waters I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”   

Mother Walker is predeceased by her parents, Elder Joe and Sister Annie Webb; husband, Brother Melvin Walker; son, Allen Webb; siblings, Evelyn Nimene, Joe Webb, Jimmy Webb and Robert Webb.  Mother Walker leaves to cherish her legacy, her beloved children:  Faythe Denise, Lynn Renee, Alisha Darice’; sisters Doretha Kollie and Blandine Walls; brother Eugene (Marilyn) Webb; (Ten Grandchildren) Isaac, Tyheem, Ruth Anna, Tianna, Tyisha, T’ynesha, Tyrell, Levi, Demetrius,  Lance  (Thirteen Great-Grandchildren) Ridge, CJ, JaiVon, Kalen, Jalen, Tyrae, Trynity, Monika, Amiyah, Tyasiah, Tylia, Tyrus, and Tyson.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

Visitation 9 a.m. and Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Rehoboth Temple 1111 E. Long St. Interment at Northlawn Memory Gardens.   Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE 2500 Cleveland Ave. To order flowers and to offer condolences to The WALKER Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com