Lavada Broussard Walker was born officially on August 8, 1937, to the parentage of Angeline Steptoe Broussard Willis and Isaac Broussard in a former settlement of the community of Whitehall in Navasota, Texas known as Retreat. The midwife filed Lavada’s birthdate as August 10, 1937. So, Lavada always celebrated two birthdays. She was also raised by Andrew Moore, who was known to all as her father. Lavada’s Mother later married Isom Willis who also loved her as his own daughter.
Lavada accepted Christ at an early age. She joined the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where she was baptized by the Rev. L. N. Neal.
During her formative years, she attended the Navasota George Washington Carver Elementary School, where on May 21, 1952, she was recognized as the eighth-grade valedictorian. She continued her studies at the Navasota George Washington Carver High School where she graduated in 1956.
In 1956, she went on to attend Prairie View A&M College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education (1960) and a Master of Science Degree in Education (1966) . In 1960, Lavada’s teaching career began at the Navasota Courtney, Lynn Grove, Whitehall Elementary School. She later moved to the Navasota George Washington Carver Elementary School where she taught until 1967.
While at Prairie View, she met Robert Walker, Jr. On June 13, 1962, she and Robert were united in holy matrimony. In 1965, this union was blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Kimberly DeVette (affectionately known as “Kimley”).
In 1967, Lavada and her family moved to Dallas, Texas. From 1967 to 1993, she was employed with the Dallas Independent School District where she taught at W.W. Bushman and Elisha M. Pease Elementary Schools.
Church Affiliations in Dallas
In 1967, Lavada and her family became members of the Beth Eden Baptist Church. While at Beth Eden, Lavada served as a deaconess, missionary society member, president of the Senior Choir, and children’s choir sponsor/director.
In 1976, Lavada and her family became members of the Bon Air Missionary Baptist Church. At Bon Air, she served as a deaconess, youth Sunday School Teacher (Primary Department), youth choir director, mission president and President of the Golden Agers Auxiliary. Under “Mother” Lavada’s leadership, the Golden Agers started what is now known as “Red Day”.
Organization Affiliations
• Tommie Robinson American Legion Auxiliary, Post 802, Life Member (VIM)
• Prairie View A&M National Alumni Association, Life Member
• Dallas Prairie View Alumni Association
• Navasota George Washington Carver Alumni Association, Life Member
• Dallas Retired Teachers Association
She was preceded in death by her mother, fathers and husband. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Kimberly Walker Brown (Daniel); special cousins: Nora Steptoe Hodges, Tom H. Jones, Paula Gillum, and Adrian Moore (Gayla); adopted son Burl Blaylock (Leshanta); goddaughters, Kaysha Cohen, Destinee Forest (Terrance), and Cyann Cannon; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and loved ones.
