Jill Walker

Funeral services for Jill Walker, 54, of Newton, Texas, will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, March 18th, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Newton, with Brother Jason Fortenberry officiating. Interment will follow in the Walker Cemetery in Newton, Texas.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5:00 - 7:00pm, Friday, March 17th, 2023 at Smith Funeral Home in Newton.

Kayla Jill Walker was born on January 11, 1969 in Beaumont, Texas to parents, Bill Walker and Jackie (Davis) Walker. She passed from this life on March 15, 2023, in Jasper.

In the words of her “sweet little momma”, as a child, Jill did not sleep…. She constantly stayed under my feet and I never had to hunt her like I did Paul. She loved waiting at the back door for her daddy to come home, as they both looked forward to their evening rides down the dirt roads in his old pickup truck.

Jill attended Newton ISD her entire school career and graduated a proud Newton Eagle, Class of 1987. While in school, Jill was a head twirler and cheerleader. After high school, she attended Stephen F. Austin University and Lamar University, taking various courses. Jill owned Newton Video Store and also worked at Eye Center of Jasper for many years. Jill was an active member of the Texas Order of the Eastern Star in Newton.

Jill became a mother for the first time on July 3, 1992 when she welcomed the first love of her life, her “brown-eyed” daughter, Payton Noelle Monzingo. She welcomed the second love of her life on May 14, 2001, her “blue-eyed” daughter, who she nicknamed” Bug”, Tatum Walker Sammons. The third loves of her life were her grandchildren, who lovingly called her, “Gamma,” a title she wore proudly.

She loved animals, especially rescue animals. Jill wore many hats through life, loving daughter, caring sister, supportive mother, BEST Gamma, aunt, cousin, friend, and many more. Jill had many describing words: Quick-witted, honest, funny, resilient, caring, loving, stubborn, and strong. Jill was passionate about the people she loved. Her home became a safe haven for her and everyone in her life. She was a “sit-in-silence” confidant and a “tell-it-like-it-is” supportive friend when she needed to be. If you knew Jill, you loved her. She will be dearly missed.

Jill is survived by her mother, Jackie Walker; daughters, Payton Monzingo Green and husband Michael, Tatum Sammons, Megan Cline and husband Blake, and Kayla Sammons; grandchildren, Thomas, Marley, Oliver, and Hayden; brother and sister-in-law, Paul Walker and Terri; nieces, Callie and husband, Andrew Cameron and their son, Crew and Kerigan and husband, Austin Ross and their son, Walker; aunts and uncles, Kay and Danny Davis, Jimmy and Nancy Walker, Cheryl Walker, Steve Walker, Thomas and Melba Inman; best friend, Tonya Coker and family; along with numerous other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Bill Walker; uncle, Glenn Walker; paternal grandparents, Major and Pauline Walker; maternal grandparents, Jack and Catherine Davis; cousin, Baby Major Walker; and best friend, Kristi Davis.

Jill will be escorted to her final resting place by pallbearers: Clint Davis, Jimmy Walker, Paul Walker, Clint Walker, Levi Clyde, Logan Tyson, Montana Moody, Joe David Greninger.

Honorary Pallbearers: Hanse Ellison, Paul Davis

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to a local non-profit group known as, Hopeful Paws. Donations may be sent electronically, one of three ways.

Paypal – [email protected]

Venmo - @hopefulpaws

CashApp -$hopefulpawz