Mary Carettia Walker was born to the union of Nannie Ford and Jim Tabron on February 17, 1936 in Caldwell, Arkansas. She was the ninth of 15 children all of whom have preceded her in death. She was a Christian and her faith remained strong in Christ until her passing.
When Mary lost her sight at age 9, her mother and older sister, Ruth, agreed that Mary should move to Chicago and live with Ruth and family. After moving to Chicago, Mary continued her education at the Spalding School for the Blind for one year before transferring to John Marshall Grammar School. She then attended, and graduated from, Marshall High School. While there, she met her future husband, Thomas Walker.
Mary and Thomas’ relationship continued to develop and they entered into holy matrimony on July 2, 1955 in Chicago, IL. They were married for 50 years and to their union, six children were born and one was adopted.
Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, sister and friend to all. She loved dancing, singing, reading, playing piano, entertaining, playing Scrabble, and making ceramics. Her love of life was witnessed by all around her. She also wrote poetry for many years which resulted in two published books: Matters of the Heart and Come to the Fountain. The confidence she gained in knowing that she could do anything that a sighted person could do was instilled into her by her sister, Ruth, at a very young age and that stayed with her throughout her life. At the age of 62, Mary enrolled in Harold Washington Community College and took courses in creative writing.
On Sunday, September 16, 2018, at age 82, in Chicago, IL, God gently kissed Mary on the cheek and called her Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, in 2005; and son Timothy in 2006.
She was also preceded in death by five sisters (Ruth Moore, Alberta Embry, Vercie Mae Tabron, Ethel Garrett, and Mabel Stuart) and nine brothers (Wealthy Tabron, Ozy Tabron, Ellis Tabron, Estes Tabron, Rozel Tabron, Jim May Tabron, Eugene (Lou) Tabron, Alexander Tabron, and Earl Tabron).
Mary leaves six children, not to mourn her passing, but to cherish fond memories: Mary (David) Briggins, Alamonte Springs, FL; Thomas Jr. (Theresa) Walker, Chandler, AZ; Linda Walker, Chicago, IL; Jerald (Brenda) Walker, Hingham, MA; James Walker, Chicago, IL; Andre Walker, Chicago, IL; and a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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