Ava M. Walker

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Ava M. Walker, age 89, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed Sunday.

 

Ava M. Walker, age 89, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Sunday morning, April 17, 2016, at United Methodist Village-North Campus in Lawrenceville.  She was born April 9, 1927 in Burnt Prairie Township, White County, Illinois, the daughter of Clyde and Edith (Pollard) Graham.  She married her high school sweetheart, Max A. Walker, June 23, 1946.

 

Ava was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was a talented seamstress, avid quilter, and wonderful cook.   She was a dedicated Christian, a member of Emmanuel Tabernacle in St. Francisville and was very active in her church and community.  She volunteered many hours at the Sign of the Kingdom East, acting as secretary for a portion of the over 20 years of service. Ava had a gentle and generous spirit and showed the love of Jesus through her giving ways.

 

Preceding Ava in death were her parents, her husband Max (January 2, 1985), one son Jerry Walker, and two brothers Dellas Graham and Don Graham.

 

Survivors include her son, Gary Walker and wife Marcia of Pinehurst, North Carolina, two daughters Diana Moade and husband Bill of Lawrenceville, Illinois and Pamela Sargeant and husband Clint of Decatur, Illinois;  a daughter-in-law, Christine Walker of Portage, Michigan; three brothers Densil Graham and his wife Gail of Grayville, Illinois, Bobby Graham and his wife Shirley of Centerville, Georgia, and Larry Graham and his wife Jean of Phoenix, Arizona; two sisters-in-law, Ann Graham of Adamsville, Tennessee and June Graham of Evansville, Indiana;  five grandchildren, Sarah Daum and husband Jason of Jasper, Indiana, Elizabeth Baumberger and husband Joshua of Springfield, Illinois, Jennifer McNeilly of Savoy, Illinois, Michael Sargeant and his wife Chelsea of Forsyth, Illinois and Jesse Sargeant of Decatur, Illinois, as well as seven great-grandchildren, Chloe and Collin Daum of Jasper, Indiana, Elle and Max Baumberger of Springfield, Illinois, Evan and Garrett McNeilly of Savoy, Illinois and Olivia Sargeant of Forsyth, Illinois

 

The family would like to thank the staff of the UMV-North Campus for their compassionate and tender care of Ava, especially in her final hours.

 

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM (CST) Thursday at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville.

 

Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until 1:00 PM (CST) Thursday at the funeral home

 

Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville, Illinois.

 

Memorial donations may be made to Sign of the Kingdom East with envelopes available through the funeral home.