Bettie Lou Walker

Bettie was born May 19, 1934 in Honey Grove, Texas to the late Reverend John Williams and Janie V. Williams (Nae Tyler), who both preceded her in death. Bettie was the youngest of seven siblings, four sisters; Mable, Marie, Gracie, Helen and one brother, Lee Andrew, all of whom preceded her in death. She has one surviving sister, Mrs. Ethel Pugh, who lives in Red Field, Arkansas.

Bettie received her education through the public school system in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1950 she was married to the late L.C. Smith of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After this marriage ended in divorce, she relocated to Chicago, Illinois. It was in Chicago where she eventually met and married her second husband, Jimmie Lee Walker. This marriage remained until his passing in 1989. As a military wife, Bettie traveled with her husband and lived in several places including once in Thailand.

Upon Jimmie’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force, the family moved to Texas. They lived in Grand Prairie, then Corpus Christie and finally Arlington. Bettie worked for several years at Best Products Co. and Venture until they went out of business.

Bettie was a great bowler and earned several trophies for her skills. She was a great cook, a cake decorator and she gave unselfishly to anyone and loved everybody.

Bettie accepted Jesus Christ at an early age but rededicated her life to the Lord in 1989. She became a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor William Dwight McKissic, Sr., where she remained faithful until her passing. Before her failing health, Bettie was an active member of the Seniors Ministry and very involved with the outreach and evangelism ministry.

Bettie Lou Walker is lovingly known as “Big Momma” by her family and honorably known as “Mother Walker” by her church family. One of her favorite scriptures is …”But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Many days before her passing, Mother Walker would repeatedly declare that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Bettie Lou Walker also had one grandson, Ralph Ledet Jr. and two great-grandsons, Darius Ledet and Little Joe Ledet, to precede her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory four children; Luvenia Ledet (Ralph Sr.), Joseph Smith (Yvonne), Dorothy R. Watley-Smith, and Deborah Walker, her dedicated and loving caregiver. All of her children reside in Arlington. She also has ten grandchildren; Sharri, Avery, Julia, Justin, Preston, Joseph, Maurice, Angela-X, Desmond and Lewis; 22 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.