Rosa Delores Alston Walker

She shared 50 beautiful years of marriage with her best friend and the love of her life, Cornell Carter Walker. Together, they built a life centered around faith, family, and love. Rosa was a dedicated professional, serving as an Executive Secretary and Motivational Speaker with IBM for over 25 years before her retirement.

She was admired for her gift of encouragement, her professionalism, and her ability to inspire those around her. Her faith was the foundation of her life. Rosa had a close and personal relationship with God and was a devoted member of several church families, including Community Baptist and North East Baptist in Durham, NC, and Summit Baptist in Acworth, GA. She was also a proud member of Toastmasters and her sorority ETA PHI BETA, where she built lifelong friendships and shared her passion for public speaking.

Rosa is survived by her children, Roslyn Walker Rice & husband Michael H. Rice, Herchel Vann Walker & wife Peggie J. Gill, and Melvin Cornell Walker & wife Ute Walker; sister, Maggie Moore & husband Frank Moore; grandchildren, Chloe L. Walker, Christa Walker James, Michael Cornell Rice, Adrion K. Pickens, Candice E. Stephens, Jon-Herchel Rice, Ashley Nicole Walker, and Allen E. Everett; great-grandchildren, Amora Flores, Kaelan Alexander Rice, Emory James, III, Zachary James, Jocelynn “JoJo” Marie Rice, and Jru-Michael Rice; and many BELOVED nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Cornell Carter Walker; parents, Ottawa R. Alston & Pattie Lou Turner Alston; siblings, Ed, Son, Chick, Jim, Lit, Lillian, and Patti.

Rosa lived a life filled with joy and purpose. She loved spending time with her family, tending to her flower garden, walking outdoors, traveling across the U.S. and Europe, and most of all, enjoying family vacations that created lasting memories. She had a heart for learning, whether reading, studying the Bible, or growing through new experiences. Above all, Rosa will be remembered as a traditional family woman with a heart of gold. She was always positive, never speaking a harsh word, and lived her life lifting up those around her. She was a caregiver, a neighbor, a friend, and a shining encourager to all who knew her. Her legacy of kindness, love, and unwavering faith will live on through her family and all whose lives she touched.

The family would like to offer a special “Thank You” to the caregivers & staff at Northstar Square.

There will be two services planned to honor Rosa, the first will take place on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Summit Baptist Church in Acworth, GA. The second will be held in Durham, NC North East Baptist Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM. Rosa will be interred at Markham Memorial Gardens following her service in Durham, NC