Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-07-07
Prominent
Meridian
Woman Buried

WVIlIdIl 0uIIcu
Meridian, Miss, July 2.-(Spe-
ciaD-On Tuesday afternoon, Me-
ridian paid final tribute to one of
its most beloved citizens, Mrs.
Bessie Trotter Walker.
The deceased received her ele-
n'entary and high school education
in the public and private schools
of Meridian. She was also grad
uate Of Alcorn A. & M. College,
and had done graduate work at
Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.
Mrs. Walker was prominent in
educational, civic, social, and re-
ligious circles; and was highly
esteemed by both races.
During the time she worked in
the Meridian Public Schools, her
versatile ability and winning per-
sonality gave her an opportunity
to serve the entire community.
There is hardly a home in the city
that she did not touch through
either teaching the children in
high school, or parents in the adult
night school, or through leader
ship in civic organizations. Be-
fore the city employed social work.
ers when children needed guild
ance, either in or out of school,
rs an unpaid worker, Mrs. Walker
was usually assigned the task of
helping the children and their par
ents iron out their difficulties.
Her wise counseling was always
welcomed by parents. When the
city schools launched the Federal
school lunch program, the Of
ficials sought her services in or
ganizing and supervising this
program during its infancy. She
worked untiringly with welfare
agencies, youth organizations and
her church.
In order that she could share
her talents with a larger number
of people, Alcorn A. & M. College,
her Alma. Mater, invited her to
serve on its staff as Instructor in
Clothing and Assistant State
Teacher Trainer in Home Eco
Monies.
After serving efficiently in this
capacity for two years she re-
linquished her duties at Alcorn
to return to Meridian because of
her mothers i'll health. At this
time Jackson College was inaugu-
rating its Extension Department
in Meridian, and sought her SER
vices in this program where a
large number of pre-service and
in-service teachers drank from
her fountain of knowledge. The
First Summer Session of this pro-
gram was under her dictatorship.
Mrs. Walker was married to the
Reverend Charles c.. Walker, Sep
TENDER 81, 1912. At this time he
was Chaplain in the U. S. Air
Forces. When Major Walker was
honorably discharged from the
services, he accepted the passionate
of the First Congregational Church
in Little Rock, Ark. His charm
ing wife joined him in June, 1948.
In January, 1949, she went to
work for the Pulaski County Pub
lie Welfare Department, and was
highly acclaimed by her associ-
ates as being capable, efficient
worker. During the time she lived
in Arkansas, she made a host of
sincere friends just as she had
done in her home state, Missis-
sippi. The home people always
felt that she was still a part of
Meridian, and never gave up the
hope of her return for services
in this area.
She passed this life, June %,
1851. Funeral services were con-
Quoted from the First Congrega-
tional Church, Little Rock, Ark.
Burial services were said in Me-
ridian and the body was laid to
rest beneath a huge blanket of
flowers. Teachers of the Merid-
Ian area served as active pail
bearers, and Ministers of the In
terdenominational Alliance were
honorary pallbearers.
Survivors are: Husband, the Rev.
Charles c. Walker; son, Charles
David; daughter, Elizabeth Ann,
Of Little Rock, Ark; mother, Mrs.