Ozella Walker
1923 ~ 2019
Date of Death: January 24, 2019
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Walker family. Ozella's earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall their be anymore pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Mother Ozella Walker.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
In Detroit, Michigan on July 11, 1923 the late Floyd and Indanola Durham-Thompson was blessed with their oldest daughter, Ozella Mae Walker, better known as “Baby Sister” or “Mama Babe”. The family later moved to Vian, OK and later to Fort Smith, AR.
Baby Sister attended Howard Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942 (she was the last surviving member of her class).
Baby Sister married the love of her life, a handsome young man named Dennis Gale Walker and to this union five beautiful children were born. Dennis precedes her in death as of February 17, 1968.
Baby Sister lived a very active life while raising her five children. She was a member of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Whilingten, Rev. King and Rev. McGill. In 1968, she united with the Shiloh Missionary Baptist under the pastoral care of Rev. E. M. Smith, Sr., and after his death, she went back to King Solomon under the pastoral care of Rev. Stanley Whitmore.
She wore many hats in the church, she was a Choir Director, Vacation Bible School Superintendent, member of the Women’s Missionary Society, and President of the Antioch Women’s Department. Let’s not forget, she was visionary of the “Recycled Teenager’s Choir” singing at the District Singing Convention.
Preceding her in death are her parents; her step mother, Naomi Walker-Thompson; four brothers, Floyd Thompson Jr., Warren “Frank” Thompson, James “Brother” Thompson and William Thompson, and one sister, Margaret Ann Jordan.
Ozella leaves to celebrate and cherish her life her children, son; James “Pooky” Walker of Ft. Smith, AR, four daughters; Delores “Sissy” Richardson, Denise “Necee” Jones, Marion Walker all of Fort Smith, AR, and Margret “My Baby” Walker of Monroe, LA; adopted daughters; Tina Owens of San Antonio, TX, Ginger “Snap” Hill, and a host of other adopted sons and daughters; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; a special niece, Cheryl (Art) Carter, a special nephew, Bobby (Lisa) Jordan; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and her two best friends (Geraldine Wilson and Pearl McKinney).
Public viewing will be Friday, February 1, 2019 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, AR 72901.
Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Missionary Baptist Church 4916 High Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.
Committal service and final resting place will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
