Virginia Lois Walker, 84


Virginia Walker

Graveside services for Virginia Lois Walker, 84, of West Plains, were held Oct. 24, 2017, at Oak Lawn Cemetery in West Plains. Mrs. Walker died Oct. 18 at her home.

She was born Nov. 13, 1932, in West Plains, the daughter of Alvin C. and Thana M. Breeding Mahan. She began her education in West Plains schools and then moved with her parents to Gainesville, where she graduated from Gainesville High School in 1950.  She attended Draughn’s Business School in Springfield and eventually moved to Wichita, Kansas, to work. She and several girlfriends worked at an airplane factory and lived with a relative during those years. 

In 1952 she married Joseph Sidney “Sid” Walker. Sid had a leave from his Navy ship, and Virginia rode a Greyhound bus to meet him in Portsmouth, Virginia. They attended a Church of Christ service on Feb. 11, and at the end of the service, they asked the minister if he would marry them. They stood up in front of the congregation of strangers and were married. 

The Walkers  lived in Portsmouth, for a short time while her husband continued to serve in the Navy. After their daughter was born, they moved back to Missouri and lived in Gainesville before settling in West Plains. Mrs. Walker worked with several companies and banks before joining the Missouri Department of Social Services as a secretary. She worked at the Howell County Division of Family Services for 30 years before retiring in 2003.

She enjoyed her retirement years with family and friends, gardening, being involved with her church and volunteer activities, researching history for her family genealogy projects and spending time with her daughter. She was also an animal lover and loved her toy poodle, Katy, and her rescued cats. 

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Jo Walker Kirksey of Cotter, Arkansas, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, who died Sept. 14, 1988. 

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church of West Plains, Howell County Habitat for Humanity (ReStore) or Heavens Creatures Thrift Store in West Plains or Center Point Cemetery in Gainesville.

Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, directors.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423