Mary kathryn Walker

A memorial celebration for the life of Mary Kathryn (Jones) Walker will be held at the Gashland Presbyterian Church, KCMO on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m. The family suggests remembrances be sent to the Children’s Mercy Hospital. Kathryn was born to Fred and Effie Jones on January 15, 1913 near Arley, MO. As a young girl she attended the Arley Elementary School. She and her sister Marie boarded with a local family while they attended Liberty High School. Kathryn graduated as salutatorian and then “Jonesy” went on to attend the Kansas City Teacher’s College for a year. On September 4, 1936 she married her sweetheart Luther Walker and they formed a bond that would last 69 years. In 1939 they purchased their first house and lived there their entire lives. With the impending birth of her first son Roger, Kathryn resigned her job at Unity Church and started her life’s true calling, Motherhood. During WWII while Luther was overseas Kathryn took care of Roger, went back to work and wrote a letter to her husband everyday. Upon Luther’s return from service the birth of their second son Keith soon followed and the young mother became actively involved in their community. As founding members of Gashland Presbyterian Church, they set a fine example of Christian life. Kathryn was untiring in the energy she devoted to family, church, friends, community and her beloved flowers. She excelled as Church Trustee, PTA President, Den Mother, Sunday school teacher, and devoted friend and neighbor. At a time most people would be in retirement Kathryn and Luther used their practical skills and strong work ethic to start a small business refurbishing substandard housing into clean, affordable rental units. Kathryn always took great satisfaction in the idea that they were providing a valuable community service by helping people have a nice place to live. Up to Kathryn’s final hours she was concerned with the well being of her family and was always confident that “things would work out for the best.” She expressed her unbounded optimism in so many ways, especially her habitual, cheerful, whistle. Her personal belief that anything could be achieved if you just tried hard enough is a conviction that she has passed on to her descendants. During her 93 years of life she gave all the love her sweet nature could give. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, sibling, friend and human being. She joked that March 4th was the only day on the calendar that was a command “March Forth.” She passed quietly in her sleep on the morning of March 4, 2006 and we know that she is doing just that. Kathryn is survived by her husband, Luther Walker, her siblings, Fredamac Moog, Ruth Chinn, and Billy Jones, her children, Roger Walker and Keith and his wife Henrietta Walker, her grandchildren, Jennifer Strickland, Angella Moore, Ken Walker, Michael Walker and her great-grandchildren Keith Moore, Tara Moore, Samuel Strickland, Benjamin Strickland, and Kathryn Jewel Walker.

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