Jesse Lee Walker

Jesse Lee Walker, son of the late William Francis and Ina Opal (Mitchell) Walker, was born on January 28, 1931 in Hartville, Missouri and departed this life on December 17, 2007 in the St. John’s Regional Health Center in Springfield, Missouri, following an extended illness. He was 76 years, 10 months, and 19 days of age.
Jesse grew up in Wright County near Hartville and graduated from Mtn. Grove High School in 1949. After graduating from high school he worked for his father as a carpenter before serving his country in the United States Air Force for four years. He was honorably discharged in 1951. Following his discharge from the service he worked for M & G Motor Supply in Mtn. Grove where he met his future wife, Phyllis Rogers. They were united in marriage on February 17, 1957 in Texas County, Missouri. They raised two sons and made their home in the Mtn. Grove area for many years. In 1958, Jesse attended barber school and came back to Mtn. Grove where he worked for Lonzo Maxwell and later bought into the Cameo Barber Shop. Jesse farmed for twenty years and later went back to barbering until his health started failing.
He was a very loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and neighbor and will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Jesse was a long time member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mtn. Grove, Missouri where he was the Sunday School Superintendant for twenty-three years. He enjoyed singing, fishing, attending church functions, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son: Steven Walker; one brother: Robert Walker; and by one sister: Shirley Turner.
He is survived by his loving wife: Phyllis Walker of their home; one son: Jimmy Walker of Mtn. Grove; three brothers: Max Walker of Mtn. Grove, Rex Walker of Abilene, Texas and Sonny Walker of Sweetwater, Texas; two sisters: Bonnie Prock and Billie Chapman, both of Mtn. Grove; two grandchildren: Erin Richardson and her husband, Adam, and Sara Walker; one great-granddaughter: Gracie Richardson; several nieces; nephews; church family; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Jesse Walker were held on December 20, 2007, 2:00 PM in the First Freewill Baptist Church with rev. Bruce Moore and Rev. Gary Fry officiating. Ruth VanGenderen, Ray Bradley and Sarah Moore, accompanied by Teresa Bradley, sang “Amazing Grace” and “Glad Reunion Day.” Pallbearers were David Prock, Danny Prock, Mike Walker, Mitchell Walker, Keith Chapman, and Eddie Rogers. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Funeral Services:
Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:00 PM in the First Freewill Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.
Visitation:
No Formal - Ready for viewing after 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 19, 2007.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery