Stella Frances Walker

Stella Frances Pierce Walker was born at home the 25th of August 1923, on Cumberland Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Jesse Harry Pierce and Hattie Lee Francis Becker but her stepfather, Mr. Shirley Willis, raised her and she remembered him with great appreciation and fondness.

To her children, she was mother and friend. She was a marvelous wife to Frank Love Walker, Sr. Together they started a family in Memphis, Tennessee. From the union were born Frank Love Walker, Jr. (Cindy), Shirley Jean Walker (Rob), Linda Sue Walker, Patricia Ann "Patty" Walker (Bill), and Jerry Lee Walker (Stan).

Frances loved music and singing and played the fife in high school. She had a beautiful, unforced, soprano voice with perfect pitch. Old hymns were especially meaningful to her. She and her daughters would sing together, with Frances performing harmony. Their performances became a Walker family Christmastime ritual. She also learned to play the piano, dulcimer and guitar. She was a skilled seamstress and made beautiful clothes for her daughters. Later in her life she began making keepsake quilts and taught others the art of quilt making.

Frances exemplified the virtuous wife described in Proverbs. She did not say to her children "do as I say and not as I do," but lived a life of example for them to emulate. As a couple, Frank and Frances demonstrated the Christian principles of charity, duty, devotion and family responsibility every day.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Frank Walker Sr. and two half sisters, Harriet Pierce and Mary Katherine Pierce McAllister. She is survived by her sister Juanita Dougherty, her half sister Ann Gibson, a son, four daughters, 9 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. We will all miss her but cherish our memories.

"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand." (Irish blessing)

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates." The Virtuous Wife excerpt from Proverbs 31:10-31

Memorials may be sent to:

Kenny Prewett

Jacko Valley Baptist Church (Flathead Nation mission)

P.O. Box 646

Arlee, MT 59821

Macon Road Baptist Church Worship Center

11015 Hwy. 64

Arlington, TN 38002

The Church Health Center

1210 Peabody Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Rev. 21:4