Sharon Lea Walker

Sharon Lea Walker was born in Borger, Texas to Willie Walker and Nellie Cunningham Walker on May 20, 1954. She graduated from Borger High School and shortly after moved to Indianapolis, IN with her eldest sister and family where she spent the rest of her life.

Sharon worked as a cook for many years at Central Health Care and took on a part time job at American Village Retirement Community working both jobs, until she had to take an early retirement due to her failing health. On numerous occasions, both places recognized Sharon’s top chef abilities with awards and recognitions for employee of the year and many other acknowledgments. The residents would often comment on how delicious their meals were each day and how lucky they were to have to her cook for them. She was certainly known for her tasty pound cakes, peach cobbler and homemade pot pies.

Sharon truly loved her Nazarene Church family as she has been a charter member for over 30 years. Even though she could no longer easily maneuver the stairs at her residence, she refused to move because she did not want to move too far from her church. Sharon was an active member serving as one of the Pastor’s Aides, The Kitchen Committee and Treasurer of the Nurses Guild. She took great pride in her duties at NMBC.

The epitome of a back seat driver, Sharon has never driven a car in her life, but she could tell you where every twist and turn was in Indianapolis. She could get anywhere that she needed to go through her network of family and friends, Sharon was always somewhere!

Sharon was known to keep a smile on your face and laughs in your heart with her text messages and way-out sayings and quotes. One aunt said that she could turn a bad day into a good day, this was so true. She normalized the words; I love you back when people just didn’t easily say I love you to each other. Sharon made these words contagious and automatic.

Sharon forged a bond with her road warriors, her best buddies, Evelyn Gose, Janice Shannon, Felicia Fitzpatrick and Dorothy Hardiman. They were not only friends, but they also considered themselves family. They often went to the movies together, frequented their favorite restaurants and gave each other unwavering support when needed. They were true friends.

Sharon was number five of twelve children and her passing leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. She is preceded in death by both parents and four brothers, William Carl Walker, Victor Allen Walker, Ronald Paul Walker and Nathaniel Walker, four sisters: Margaret Taylor, Dorothy Walker, Nita Mae Herron, Penny Jackson and Aunt Alice Cleo Lawton.

Sharon is survived by four sisters; Barbara J. Smith (preceded in death by William L.) Smith, (Indianapolis, IN), Deborah J. (Howard) Robinson (Ardmore, OK), Carolyn (Howard) Bell (Washington, D.C.) and Lisa Mitchell (Amarillo, TX), cousins Loretta and Johnny Darden who held a special place in her heart, a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

As we bid farewell to Sharon Lea Walker, let us remember her for the love she shared, the lives she touched, and the compassion she embodied. May her soul find eternal peace as we carry forward her legacy of love and generosity in our own lives.

A visitation for Sharon will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church, 3505 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 PM.