Sandra Joyce Cornish was born on June 5, 1943 in Houston, Texas to the union of the late King Solomon Cornish Sr. and the late Jessie Theresa Cornish. Sandra graduated from Evan E. Worthing High School in the Houston Independent School District.
At the tender age of 13, she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and was filled with the Holy Ghost. She later joined Norton Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Robert L. Norton where she served for many years and sang in the choir. This is where her love for music and singing began.
As a young lady, she took the call to the evangelist missionary field very seriously. She soon obtained her credentials from Church of God in Christ as a licensed missionary. Her heart’s desire was to be pleasing in His sight.
Upon graduation from high school, she attended Texas Southern University (TSU) under various majors, such as Physical Therapy, Nursing, Music and Voice, and Dietetics. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics as a Food and Nutrition Major and worked part time as a Dietician for Nutrition Services. God also blessed her to receive a two-year certificate from the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges also. While matriculating at TSU, she was inspired to join the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Club. It was there where she met the love of her life, Samuel Preston Walker, Sr. On December 17, 1966 they were joined in holy matrimony. They were blessed to share 48 years of marriage together. Their union was further blessed with five beautiful children.
After marrying Samuel Walker Sr, she joined her husband and became a member of Williams Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Bishop Robert Earl Woodard Sr in December 1966. Immediately she began working in the music department under the leadership of the late Sister Ernestine Cary and the late Sister Ester Mae Woodard. After working numerous years on the director’s staff, with the passing of Sister Cary in 1992, the late Pastor Bishop R. E. Woodard, Sr, appointed her as Minister of Music. As Minister of Music, she managed the Music & Fine Arts Department. This department consisted of the Angel Voices, Youth Choir, Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Praise Dancers/Mime, Praise Team, Mass Choir, Drama/Oratory, Artistic Design along with the Sound and Media Ministry. Her proudest accomplishment was achieved in October 2005 when The Williams Temple Mass Choir recorded the church’s first choir CD entitled “Break Forth”. It was released on June 23, 2006. The CD was comprised of 10 songs, five of which were written and arranged by Sandra herself. She served in this position upon her resignation in 2015.
Evangelist Missionary Walker was a proud member of Williams Temple COGIC for nearly 54 years. After the passing of Bishop R. E. Woodard, Sr, she also served under the leadership of the following pastors: Bishop R.E. Woodard, Jr, Bishop Destry C. Bell, Bishop Charles Brown, and currently, Elder Craig Carter. She loved her church family with her all heart and was fervent about the evangelizing of souls. Her dedication to the salvation of souls led to her appointment as the Evangelism President.
On the State and National level, Sandra had the opportunity to represent the State of Texas as Miss Music at the National Music Convention for two years. She served as the Music Coordinator of Texas for the National Church of God in Christ “AIM” Convention (Texas Night) in 2000 and Minister of Music for Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under the leadership of the late Bishop R.E Woodard , Jr. and Bishop Rufus Kyles, Jr. She resigned from the position in 2005. She also served as Texas Regional Music Coordinator, Jurisdictional Women’s Choir Coordinator, and Vice President of the International Music Department Southern Central Region under Dr. Janice Craig.
She received numerous awards throughout her many years in music ministry, including, being honored as one of the Houston Gospel Music Legends in 2018. She perpetuated praise and worship while taking the music department to greater heights. Under her leadership the Mass Choir received numerous awards in state and local events. Some of which include: Wrigley’s Gospel Choir Award, Houston Region 3rd Place – February 15, 1997, and Sickle Cell Best Traditional Choir Selection for the song “Rejoice in the Lord”, 2007, Houston, Texas.
During the last years of her life when she battled illness, she still maintained her faith and trust in God. She would often say, “I might be down for one minute, but I won’t be down for two.” Her extraordinary display of godliness, unconditional love, and forgiveness endeared her to become a mentor and a second mom to many. She truly lived up to her name, Sandra, which means “helper” as she could always be found lending a hand to help those in need. She was extremely passionate about cooking and she was anointed and appointed to make the best pound cake you’ve ever tasted on this side of heaven (WT Can I get an amen?).
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Samuel P. Walker, Sr.; her mother, Missionary Jessie Gill; her father, King Solomon Cornish Sr.; her step-father, Deacon Louis Gill Sr., her three brothers, Louis Jr, Broderick, Norman, and King Solomon Jr.; and her sister, Mary.
She leaves to cherish her legacy of excellence: two faithful daughters Sherry Ramsey (Paul); Kimberly Walker; three dedicated sons Samuel Walker Jr (Marishca); Ronald Walker (Shanda); Donald Walker (Yolanda); three loving siblings Ruthie Wyatt; Lois Jean Pitre (Richard); Diane King; 13 grandchildren Brian, Paul, Alicia, Brittany, Briana, Joshua, Zion, Caleb, Jahi, Josiah, Zaire, Judah, Hailey; 13 great-grandchildren; three godchildren Rashonda O’Bryant-Brown (Corey); Amber Hurts (Maurice) and Briana Pringle; a beloved sister-in-law Barbara Valentine (Isaac); two brothers-in-law: Elder Willie Walker Jr (Betty) and Arthur George Walker and a host of relatives and friends.
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:30-31
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