Jowanna Walker

Jowanna Walker, 70, of Springfield, passed away at 11:50 a.m. on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center. Jowanna was born on July 1, 1948 in Mount Vernon, the daughter of George Mac and Etta Bellis James. She married James Walker on June 15, 1968 in Mount Vernon. Jowanna graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School. She retired from Horace Mann as an Executive Secretary. Jowanna enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and shopping. She was a member of Central Baptist Church where she attended Zimmerman Sunday School class. She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Isabelle and Jackson Gardner; three sisters, Elda Mae Varga, Alice Corrigan, and Linda Lorig; three brothers, Herbert James, William James and James Smith; and her furry friends, Wags, Smiley, and Jordan. She is survived by her husband, Jim Walker of Springfield; three daughters, Suzanne (husband, Andrew) Gardner of Springfield, Stephanie (husband, Tim) Beam of Sugar Grove, IL, and Hilary (husband, Dale) Bush of Plainfield, IL; seven grandchildren, Mackenzie Beam, Jacob Beam, Taylor Gardner, Morgan Beam, and Beau, Levi, and Elliott Bush; three sisters-in-law, Carol James, Virginia Smith, and Sandy (Dallas) Blakely; many nieces and nephews; and her dog, Lucy. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Mary Ellen Sharp officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the 217th Alumni Association, her daughters non-profit military organization supporting the 217th Engineering Installation Squadron, 3344 W. 110th St., Chicago, IL 60655.