On January 22, 1917, in Lockesburg, Arkansas, a baby girl was born to Ollie and Lillie [Clardy] Thompson.  She was the fifth of twelve children and they named her Alva Reeder Thompson.

At the age of 12, she gave her life to Christ and joined Macedonia A.M.E. Church.  Later, the family moved to New Hope, Oklahoma.  There, she met and married Manuel Barnes.  From this union, five children were born;  two sons, Henry Manuel Barnes and James Ollie Barnes; and three daughters, Lillie Mae Barnes, Brenda Joyce Barnes and Anita Louise Barnes.
This marriage was later dissolved and later in life, she met and married Louie Walker, Sr., who had two sons from his previous marriage, Broyce and Ryder Walker.  Louie and Reeder were blessed with six children;  a daughter, Mae Lois Walker Graves, and five sons, Robert [Thelma], John [Joyce], Jimmy [Valarie] Lonnie and Louie, Jr.

The Walker Barnes family moved to Taft, Oklahoma in 1952, where they united with the St. Paul Baptist Church under Pastor W. M. Harrington.

Mother Walker was well loved by everyone in the community.  She was always willing to help anyone who was in need.  She was an example of a true Christian.  She served the Lord in many capacities of the Church and was inspirational in building the church with only a small congregation.  She fulfilled many hats and was an example to all of the younger ladies in the church.  She gained the nickname "Grandma" by all of the members of St. Paul, because she was a mother to all.

On December 25, 2016, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God selected a gift and her name was Reeder Walker, as she entered the last phase of her journey.  She walked out of this world into the heavenly gates, where she was greeted by her father and mother, Ollie and Lillie Thompson, her husband, Louie Walker, Sr., her brothers, Robert, Lester, Ozell, and Maceo, her sister, Erma, Evelena, Velma, Bessie, Eddie Bell and Susie Mae.  She was also preceded in death by three sons, Broyce, Ryder and Jeames and three daughters, Brenda Joyce, Lillie Mae and Anita.

Those she leaves to witness her home-going;  the only sibling left of twelve, her sister, Perline Wallace;  a daughter, Mae Lois; six sons, Henry [Mickey], Robert [Thelma], John [Joyce], Jimmy [Valarie], Lonnie and Louie, Jr.;  she also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren - 5 generations;  and a caravan of other relatives and friends;  and a dear friend who was near and dear to her heart, whom she adopted as her own daughter, Margaret McHenry.


The Sacred Farewell for Mrs. Walker will be on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Rayfield Baptist Church.  Burial will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery.

You may visit Mother Walker, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.  Visitation on Saturday will begin at 10:00 AM until service time.  The Casket will not be opened at the conclusion of the service.