Madeline C. "Mattie" Walker

WALKER, Mrs. Madeline C "Mattie" - age 96, passed away, Friday, May 9, 2014 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland. Family hour 10:30AM Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Rev. Charles Warren, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30AM Tuesday. Mrs.Walker will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral home, and may be viewed from Noon-8PM Monday. Mrs. Madeline C. Walker was born March 27, 1918 in Marvel, Arkansas to Major and Mellie McDonald. She departed this life on May 9, 2014 at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. She moved to Pontiac, Michigan in the late 1940’s. Soon after she met Roosevelt Walker and on February 18, 1954, they were united in holy matrimony. Madeline Walker finished her education at Oakland Community College where she received a degree in Life Skills. Madeline Walker was an extraordinary woman with multiple gifts and talents. She is the founder and President of the “Walker Works Organization.” An organization which guided the youth of Pontiac it also showed them work ethics, crafting, cooking skills, gardening skills, baking and selling of their own products. It showed them responsibility, hard work and owning and operating your own business it also gave them a place to be safe and learn not only about hard work but about themselves. Mrs. Walker received multiple awards including an award from the Mayor of Pontiac for her work in the community. She also received an award from the State of Michigan for her work as a Private Adult Foster Care Provider and her work with the elderly. She owned and operated one of the first adult foster care homes. She was a pillar of the community and a role model to many. Mrs. Walker enjoyed playing solitaire and bid whist with family and friends and backing especially her sweet potato pies. She enjoyed watching sports especially her Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons. She wrote poetry and also hosted poetry readings and fashion shows. She enjoyed gardening and she mostly enjoyed family gatherings and dinners. Mrs. Walker leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Barbara Louise Gage; Madeline (Mack) Downey of Pontiac, MI, Lola Jones of Glendale, AZ, George Gage Jr. of Pontiac, MI, Mariett (Kenneth) Smith of Auburn Hills, MI, Cedric (Felicia) Gage of Pontiac, MI and Arlene Walker of Rochester, MI; fifteen great grandchildren, Jeaneen, Kyle, Ayanna, Kiambu, Jereline, Felicia, Caressa, Kenneth, George Jr., Cedric Jr., Torsha, Farasha, Garren, Dontayo and Devon; twenty-seven great great grandchildren; seven great great great grandchildren; four nieces, Roseland, Garnett, Linda and Janice; great nieces, Kim, Tracy and Teresa; three nephews, Terrence (Josephine) Smith, Tony and Travis; and a host of other relatives and friends including Mary Eden and Joyce Clark. Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by her husband, Roosevelt Walker; step son, Roosevelt Walker Jr.; granddaughter, Rhonda (Quinto) Collins; grandson, Michael Warren; great grandson, Jason Jones; parents, Mellie and Major McDonald; five sisters, Annie Mae, Eula (Albert) Burt, Birdie, Minnie and Vera (James) Smith; six brothers, Lorenzo, James, J.D., Luther, Sylvester and Bud; niece, Paula Brittentine; sons-in-law, George Gage Sr. and Gilbert Odom.

Madeline C. "Mattie" Walker

March 27, 1918 - May 9, 2014