After graduating high school in Oakwood, Texas, she earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from Prairie View A&M Collegethe first of her family to achieve this distinctionand began a 38-year teaching career in Wells, Texas, in 1942.
She later held long-term teaching positions in Alto, Texas, and in San Antonio, and worked summers as assistant chef at Camp Capers in Waring, Texas, along with her twin sister, Viola Walker. She ended her teaching career in 1980, and enjoyed 26 years of active retirement.
Iola departed this life June 4, 2004.
Survivors include a sister, Viola Walker; a step-daughter, Shirley Maurice Jackson; a step-grandson, Glenn Johnson Fiancée Natalie; a host of relatives, former students, and many loving friends.
