Jeanne E. Walker

Jeanne Walker, also known as Grandma Duff, to her grandchildren, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 27th, 2025. On February 11, 1923, in Hot Springs, AR, Charles and Arquilla Walling welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Emma Jean Walling, into the world. Jeanne, her parents, and her two brothers, Charlie and James, ultimately moved to Houston, TX, where she lived most of her life, until her passing at 102 years old. Jeanne met and fell in love with her first husband, Donald Duffey, in 1944, and they were married in 1945. Jeanne and Donald (Duff) had three children: Richard, Gayle, and Tim. They moved from Houston, TX, to St. Louis, Missouri, to raise their children, but after five years, they decided they wanted to be closer to family and came back to Houston. Jeanne’s beloved husband, Donald Duffey, passed away in 1970. In 1995, she met and fell in love with Fred Walker. Jeanne and Fred got married in 1996 and were together for 7 years until his untimely passing in 2002. After his passing, Jeanne devoted all her time to her children and grandchildren.

Jeanne worked for HISD for over 30 years and made several close friends during her time there. She loved being with her friends and family and never missed a chance to spend time with them. She had a true love for all things baseball and thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge club for over 50 years! Jeanne was also a member of the Westy club and would go to shows to see the dogs. As a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, her bridge club, and the Westbury community, Jeanne will be remembered as a faithful believer, a committed friend, and a loving grandmother. She took such pride in her family and found deep joy in her three generations of grandchildren!

Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, Arquilla Ouida Allen and Charles Culberson Walling; brothers, Charles Walling and James Walling; husband of 25 years, Donald Blinn Duffey, and husband of 7 years, Fred A Walker; Sons, Richard Allen Duffey and Timothy Blinn Duffey, Daughter-in-law, Shanna Duffey, and granddaughter Ricca Holley Duffey.

She leaves behind her daughter, Gayle Lee Jackson; Grandchildren, Marieka and Brandon Gillpatrick, Tyler and Sarah Duffey, Travis and April Duffey, and Rachel Ashton; Great-Grandchildren, Anthony Holley, Teddy and Roy Duffey, Andre and Taylor Duffey, Tara, Anala, and Lucious Ashton; and Great-Great-grandchildren, Trinity and Tracelynn Holley.

A celebration of Jeanne’s life will be held on a future date; the family will plan a time so that Jeanne’s family and friends can get together, tell stories, share pictures, and celebrate the wonderful life that Jeanne had. She is celebrating in Heaven now with all of those who have passed before her, and we should celebrate the time that we got to enjoy her while she was with us.

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."