Betty Sue Walker

Most recently, she was a resident of Lifecare Tucson.

Betty was born on September 23, 1930 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Fred Melson and Ernestine Radford.

She grew up on their farm with her younger sister, Rosetta, and learned to dislike picking cotton! Betty

excelled at school and was the valedictorian of her high school class when she graduated in 1948.

She married the love of her life, Joseph E. Walker on May 2, 1948, having just graduated from high

school. They made their home and lived with their three children, Ed, David, and Diana, in Malvern,

Arkansas until they moved to Arizona in 1960.

The life Betty and Joseph made in Arizona was filled with family, faith and friendships. Extended family

and acquaintances from Arkansas helped them make the transition. Betty was a full-time homemaker

and mother in the ‘60’s and enjoyed their life together.

After her husband passed away in 1969, she went to Central Arizona College for a degree in

bookkeeping. While attending CAC, she worked to provide for her family and pay off her house. She was

employed by the Selective Service, where she notified her son, David, that he was drafted into the US

Army! Betty also ran a successful bookkeeping business for 20 years that covered bookkeeping and tax

preparation services. She served many years as the Mammoth City Clerk. Lastly, Betty worked for her

son-in-law’s business, Arizona Industrial Painting, as bookkeeper until her retirement.

She was a founding member of Mammoth Missionary Baptist Church, and was known in the community

for her deeply held Christian beliefs. Betty loved music and was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. She

enjoyed singing with her sister, and children and was a part of the annual Christmas Cantatas and

monthly singing gatherings. She is remembered by many for her generous love and acceptance.

Betty had many hobbies - crocheting afghans for her family, painting ceramics, crossword puzzles and

more. She sewed her daughter’s wedding dress. Betty was a passionate reader who filled her house

with books. She loved southern Gospel music and movie musicals.

Betty is survived by her three children, Edward (Mary) Walker of Beaverton, OR; David (Shirley) Walker

of Tucson, AZ; and Diana (Bobby) Rash of Sturgis, KY; her sister, Rosetta Burtram of Mtn Home, AR;

5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.