Lorraine Ritchhart Walker

Lorraine Ritchhart (Taylor) Walker, 93, of Tallahassee passed peacefully in the arms of her daughter April. Lorraine was born in 1921 in Sligo, Missouri and moved to St Louis, MO, where she modeled for Esquire Magazine. Then she met and married Clyde C. Taylor, Jr. following which she joined the Coast Guard. She served in the Coast Guard and Clyde in the Navy during WW II. Following their military service Lorraine and Clyde had two children, Clyde C. Taylor, III, and the only girl: April Dawn Taylor. Following Clyde’s death, Lorraine met Thomas G. Walker, Jr. (TG) in Tallahassee, where they started their lives together and had one son: Thomas Garrett Walker, III.

Lorraine worked for Leon County Schools, Brinkley Brothers, HG Smith, and then opened her own company: Lorraine Walker Registered Real Estate Broker, Sales, Laws, Income Taxes. She had a 20 year career with the State of Florida, working in different positions including: President of Employment Service, State Division of Labor and Employment Securities, Man Power Training and Development Programs, and served as President of NW Chapter International Association of Personal and Employment; which was a division where she earned several Merit Awards.

Following her retirement TG and Lorraine enjoyed time at Dog Island and their cottage at Mashes Sands Beach. Lorrraine had a love for the open waters of the Gulf, Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. She and TG traveled the states in their motor home.

Lorraine leaves us something very special, her daughter April Dawn Taylor, son: Thomas Garrett (Maisy) Walker, III; daughter-in-law: Robyn Ann Taylor; and a special nephew Gordon Paton of Steelville, MO. Lorraine will be joining her son Clyde C. Taylor III that passed away in 2014. Lorraine has three grandchildren: Taylor Phillip Burg, Laurel A. Taylor, Zackery M. Taylor; step children: Jan K. Walker and Greg Walker. Our love will continue to grow and become memories of her life and our lives.

The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice with special thanks to Connie, Ameia, Piavia, and Alyson. There will be no services and in lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Covenant Hospice, 1921 Capital Cir NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308.