*** The Service For Mrs. Bernice Mathis Walker will be streamed via our

Facebook Page ( Biglow Funerals Inc. ) on "Facebook Live beginning at 10:30AM*** The link is provided below.

https://www.facebook.com/Biglow-Funerals-Inc-365029870361957/

"A Glimpse of My Life Before Glory!"

Bernice Walker was born on July 12, 1918, in Windom, Texas to the union of Henry and Sadie Mathis. Both parents preceded her in death. Her parents moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma when she was 4 years old. She confessed an early hope in Christ and attended Rayfield Baptist Church as a child. She attended Douglas Grade School, Samuel L. Sadler Junior High School, and Manual Training High School in Muskogee before she attended and graduated in 1937 from Booker T. Washington in Tulsa.

She was married to Louis Watkins and to this union, one child was born Carol Jackson.

In 1945, she became one of the first black female postal workers in downtown Chicago, where she soon met, worked side by side, and married the "love of her life" Lewis J. Walker.  She retired from the post office in 1980 as a supervisor after 35 years of dedicated service. She and her family moved back to the Muskogee area to care for her elderly Mother and Aunt.

Bernice "Nana" was known for being an evangelist and encourager.  She volunteered at schools, fed the homeless, encouraged the youth, and took people to Macedonia Baptist Church.  She never lost an opportunity to tell a dying world about Jesus. She was a professional bible student and took all of the classes that the Oklahoma school of Religion had to offer. Her memory was sharp, she memorized whole bible passages and recited them during class. She was a doting Mother and Nana  She mentored and encouraged all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who spent every summer with her and was a Nanny to all six of her great-great-grandchildren. She also shared her godly wisdom with her many adopted daughters, nephews, nieces, and friends.

In Chicago, she attended Pilgrim Baptist Church where she and Lewis served where ever needed. In 1980 she became an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Tommy McFrazier. In 2021 she joined Greater Wilson Chapel Baptist Church under watch-care ministry with Pastor Michael Nicholson, sharing her membership with Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of  Rev. Larry H. Smith.

She was elected Collate Missionary queen and served as Mother of Greater Wilson Chapel Baptist Church.

She received the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alpha Epsilon Omega Chapter Founders Day/Black History "Through the Years" Honors.

On January 18, 2022, Bernice Walker served as the Grand Marshall of the Martin Luther King Parade in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  This was a full-circle moment. In 1963, she and Lewis took a train from Chicago to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. She was a civil rights activist and a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Mrs. Bernice M. Walker, after 103 blessed years with us, was "Escorted to Glory by Angels" on Thursday evening, January 27, 2022 from Muskogee.

To cherish her memory and continue her legacy, she leaves her daughter Carol Jackson of St. Louis, MO, two grandchildren Karis (Lorenzo)Winston and Dameon (Ida) Jackson of St. Louis MO, 5 Great-grandchildren: Quiana (Michael) Nicholson of the home, Marcjella, and Damia Jackson of St. Louis, MO, DeVonne Patrick of Houston, TX , LaDamia Jackson of Atlanta GA; 13 great-grandchildren: Markaela, Moriah Miyah, Maliyah, Michael Jr. and Miana Nicholson of the home, Xavier and Anthony Shepherd, and Maurice Lee of St. Louis; Kylen, Milah' Marie, and Maliya Clerkly of Atlanta GA; Special friend Joyce Clayton, Special cousin Marvin Winston, special daughters Carolyn Hall, Margo Stanford, Joyce Ledbetter, Vanessa Topping, Judith Bural, and Saundra Harrison, and a host of cousins and many, many friends.

A Celebratory Worship Service honoring the life of Mrs. Bernice Mathis Walker will commence on Friday, February 4, 2022 at 10:30 AM, in the most holy sanctuary of the Rayfield Baptist Church in Muskogee. Reverend Leroy Walker Sr., is the Gracious Host Pastor, Pastor Michael G. Nicholson Sr., will deliver the Eulogy and Reverend Larry H. Smith, Sr., will officiate.

You may visit Mrs. Walker on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM in The People's Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

You may also visit Mrs. Walker on Friday at the Church, beginning at 9:20 AM until 10:20 AM.

Mrs. Walker will rest in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

ALL persons attending the services are kindly required to wear masks and observe Social Gathering Guidelines, please.