Willie Walker

Willie Mae "Mother Willie" Walker was born Sept. 6, 1938, in Osceola, Arkansas, to Georgia Hill and Sardis Bean. She married Miles Walker in 1954.

Mother Willie was called to enter the Father's Kingdom Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Words that best describe Mother Willie are "faithful servant." She served the Lord. She served her family. She served her church. She served her community. Anytime someone needed her, she was always present. Mother Willie dedicated her life to God, her family and her church. She fulfilled God's purpose for her life.

When you think of Mother Willie, you think of love. No one was ever a stranger; everyone was family. Mother Willie was a fun-loving, charismatic, optimistic soul who was loved by all. She was a beautiful reflection of so many. She was a light that illuminated brightly.

Mother Willie was a woman of strong stock -- just as her mother, Georgia Reeze, was. She passed that trait -- along with many other quality traits -- down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mother Willie worked hard and tirelessly for over three decades at the Downtown Motel, where she later retired.

Mother Willie knew the Lord was her solid foundation. She grew up in church. In her adulthood, she officially became a member of her beloved church home, House of Prayer, in the early '90s. She was heavily involved with her church home -- and loyally served -- for over a quarter of a century. Mother Willie dearly loved Apostle Jo Ann McCauley. She loved all of her church members dearly.

Mother Willie was baptized at a young and tender age. It uplifted her spirit when she got to experience and witness some of her children and grandchildren get baptized.

She was always a helping hand. Mother Willie was someone you could always count on -- no matter what. She was always there! She was always willing to donate her time, love and resources to anyone in need.

Throughout her life, Mother Willie accomplished many great things. She also won a myriad of awards, such as the prestigious Woman of the Year Award of the local Martin Luther King celebration, and countless others.

She was preceded in death by her mother; father; stepfather, Wesley Reeze; brother, James Beane; brother, Samuel Beane; brother, Jim Mitchell Beane; sister, Dorothy Beane; son, Tyrone Walker; grandchild, Willie Mae; and husband, Miles Walker.

She leaves behind to carry on her memory and legacy her beloved children, Johnnie, Sarah, Annie, Betty, Mary Ann, Louise, Gerome,and Mary Louise, as well as her 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. She loved each of them dearly, and her love and spirit will continue to reside in each of them.

In her memory, pink, black and/or white will be the colors worn by family, friends and loved ones. Anyone attending services is more than welcome to wear any of those colors as well. Pink was Mother Willie's favorite color.

Her life is a celebration. She is greatly missed by all. Mother Willie's legacy continues.

Mother Willie's home-going will be Saturday at Greater Dimension Ministries at 723 Hackberry St., in Cape Girardeau. Visitation hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The service will follow at 1 p.m. at the church.

Face coverings are strongly encouraged.

Donations may be made at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

To every soul Mother Willie ever touched, she wants to bestow upon you her famous departing words: "God bless you, and I love you."