Nova Etta Walker

Nova Etta (Hankins) Walker

born May 11,1945 in New Mexico to Henry Hankins and Annie Hankins McKinney.

Nova went to her eternal home in heaven on March 3, 2026, at 6:30pm at the age of 80, surrounded by love and adoration until her very last breath—leaving behind a legacy of great love, strength, faith, and family that will live on for generations to come.

Nova was very proud to be a registered member of the Choctaw Nation. Her heritage was very important to her and she loved to share about it, attend events on the reservation and support the Choctaw community.

Nova was a dedicated and hard-worker from the very beginning. In her younger years, she worked as a fruit picker, apartment manager, hospital housekeeper, book keeper and later retired from the administration office at Sutter Tracy Hospital in Tracy, California where she received many awards and recognitions. After retirement she moved to Texas, where she spent time surrounded by family, memories, and love.

Nova loved to give back to her community and supported many charities close to her heart through the years.

More than anything, Nova was the beginning of a beautiful bloodline. From her came 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, and so many lives were touched by her presence. She was the root of her family tree—a woman whose life helped shape generations. Her love, strength and perseverance will continue on through each person who carries a part of her with them, and her absence is already felt in countless hearts.

Above all, Nova loved Jesus. Her faith was a part of who she was, and her family finds comfort in knowing she is now at peace in the presence of the Lord she loved.

Nova was preceded in death by her mother, Annie McKinney; her sisters, Judy Calhoun and Sarah Reynolds; her brothers, Henry Hankins, Gerald Hankins and Lou Allen Hankins; her son in law Charles Cooper; her grandchild, Kimberly Prescott; and her great-grandchild, Waylon Harrison. Nova is the last of her siblings to join their mother in Heaven, and her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited with those she loved so dearly.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Joe Prescott and wife Delmy of Tracy CA, Tim Hunter of Kingsland, TX, Nova Cooper of Kingsland, TX and Robert Walker and wife Kristi of Temple TX; her grandchildren, Arline, Joey, Davy, Philip, Tiffany, TJ, Amber, and Hannah; her great-grandchildren; and many other family members who loved her dearly.

Nova’s life was one of perseverance, devotion, and deep love for her family. She will be missed more than words can say. Though her family’s hearts are broken, they will forever hold close the blessing of having known and loved her. Her memory will live on in the lives she created, the family she helped build, and the seeds of love she planted for generations.

John 14:1–2 (KJV)

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” Matthew 25:21 (KJV)

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Isaiah 46:4 NIV

[4] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Psalms 73:23-24 NIV

[23] Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. [24] You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Closing: We will carry her love with us always—

until we meet again…

Chi pisa la chike…