MARY FRANCES WALKER

Mary Frances Walker, 91, of Wayland, Mo., died December 4, 2015 at her home.

She was born September 28, 1924 in Augusta, GA to John and Lillian Flynn Gary. She spent all of her young adult life in Augusta, graduating from Tubman High School. She met her late husband, Bernard Clarence Walker, on the dance floor at a Labor Day Dance while he was serving in the Army at Ft. Gordon, GA. They were married November 6, 1955 in Aiken, SC. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2011.

As a wife of a career U.S. Army husband, Mary raised three children. They lived around Ft. Gordon, GA (three times); Schofield Barracks, HI; Fitzsimmons Hospital, CO; Triple Army Medical Center, HI (twice); and Ft. Benning, GA during her husband’s Army Career.

They made their home in Canton, Mo., in 1974 and lived there for thirty-six years until they moved in their current home in Wayland, Mo., in 2008.

Early in life she worked for the gas company in Augusta, GA. Her sister, Helen, paid for her dance lessons. She won several dance contests.

After marrying, she became a homemaker and Army wife. She loved her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. She was so proud of overcoming her fear of swimming and swam her first lap of the pool when she was 68 at the Keokuk YMCA.

Mary was baptized in the Catholic Church as a baby, then on October 24, 2010 she was baptized into the First Baptist Church of Wayland, MO.

She loved to go bowling, dancing, playing Pinochle and Bingo.

Survivors include her children, Deborah and Steve Stark of Kimberling City, MO; Stephen and Johanna Walker of Wayland, MO; and Theresa and Steve Hendrix of El Paso, TX.

Also a niece (raised as a sister) Peggy Cramer Adams of Marietta, GA; two step children: Martha and Gary Whitaker of Wayland, MO and Benjamin and Rita Walker of Revere, MO; a sister-in-law, Nancy Walker of Alexandria, MO; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, Harold Gary, Edward Gary, Gladys Gary Cramer, Earl Gary, John Gary, Sherron Gary, James Gary, and Helen Gary Gillian.

Funeral services were held December 7, 2015 at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Dan Deatrick officiating. Special music, “Amazing Grace” was provided by Dan Fox with Heidi Fox accompanist. Additional selections were “I Can Only Imagine” and “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”.

Pallbearers were Jacob Rossiter, Wyatt Paige, Brian Stark, Matthew Stark, Terry Walker and Gregory Walker

Burial followed in the Keokuk National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to NEMO Hospice of Kirksville, MO, Alzheimer’s Research, or Bowling Family YMCA, El Paso, TX.

On-line condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralservice.com.