Cheryl E. Walker

May 22, 1944 – September 29, 2026

Cheryl Elton Walker, age 82, passed into the hands of her first love, the Lord, on September 29, 2026. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Beulah Rae Elton, her brother Ricky Elton and her loving, devoted husband of 39 years—her departed second love—Raymond E. Walker. Together, they built a home anchored in faith and family. Cheryl’s legacy is carried forward by her older sister, Winifred Thigpen, her five married children and their spouses, Richard and Sonya Walker, Ray and Wendy Walker, Kim and Eric Hays, Shannon and Renee Walker, and Brent and Laura Walker; as well as 14 cherished grandchildren and 6 adored great-grandchildren.

Born in Wheeler County, Georgia, on May 22, 1944, Cheryl was the beloved daughter of the late Gene and Beulah Rae Elton. From early childhood, Cheryl harbored two clear dreams in her heart; to raise a large family and to spend her life caring for babies. After graduating from Wheeler County High School, she pursued her calling at the Macon Hospital School of Nursing, serving faithfully as a Registered Nurse until 1971 when she transitioned her nursing heart towards caring for her growing family.

In January of 1982, Cheryl, Ray, and their five children opened their hearts and home to care for foster infants through Lifeline Ministries of Birmingham, Alabama. Over the course of 37 years, Cheryl showed God's unconditional love and devotion to more than 171 foster children who became part of her extended family. To dozens she was "Grammy," to many she was "Mama Cheryl," and to some she will always simply be "Mama."

Cheryl was a devout Christian who truly walked the walk. She served as a faithful member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church for over 54 years. She saw her fellow members as family; sisters and brothers in Jesus. Her immense faith was visible in everything she did, and she shared her joy freely—often asking total strangers with gentle conviction, "Do you know Jesus?" In her later years, Cheryl remained deeply devoted to nurturing individual, loving relationships with each of her children and grandchildren. These shared and nurtured relationships will grow and spread into generations to come.

A wise man once wrote, "Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children"—a truth Cheryl lived out every day of her life.

The Family respectfully asks in lieu of flowers that a charitable donation be made to:

Alabama Baptist Children’s Home: https://www.alabamachild.org/give

Georgia Baptist Children’s Home: https://www.georgiachildren.org/donate

Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give/

Mama would have loved this idea!

Service & Interment Information

Visitation & Memorial Services:

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Visitation: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Memorial Service: 11:00 AM

Rideout's Trussville Chapel

(1500 Gadsden Hwy

Birmingham, AL 35235)

Interment Service:

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 1:15 PM

Alabama National Cemetery

(3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115)

Cheryl will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Raymond.