Anderson Walker

T H E   M A N   |   A N D E R S O N   W A L K E R The sun rose bright on November 25, 1925, when Garland and Lucy Anderson Walker gave birth to Anderson Walker in Dallas County, Arkansas. As we retrace the life journey of Anderson Walker, we can only give thanks for all of the many lives he has enriched along the way. A simple, straight forward, yet classic man Anderson Walker lived a full and rich life of 91 years. He accepted Christ at a young age. Being the son of a sharecropper and wanting to make a better life for himself; he hopped trains from Arkansas to Michigan and landed in River Rouge, Michigan. There he found employment at the Kimberly Scott Paper Plant. Excited about his new life, he returned to Sparkman and married Deloise Wright on December 18, 1948 and to this union four children were born. While in River Rouge he lived with his uncle Willie and aunt Daisy who welcomed him with open arms. Although their children were his first cousins, they were raised as brothers and sisters. He was a member of St. John AME Church where his uncle Rev. Willie Anderson was the Senior Pastor and Anderson was appointed trustee. He was fondly named “Andy” by his River Rouge family and friends. In January 1953 he was hired at GM Cadillac and after 35 years with GM Cadillac he retired in 1978. He married Barbara Poe and they eventually relocated to Arkadelphia. He united with the St. Paul AME Church family in 1998 under the leadership of Rev. James Thomas. He served on the trustee board and as a member of the Men’s choir. He faithfully attended Sunday school, Bible class and Wednesday night Bible study. They befriended Mrs. Anne Tate and a lasting friendship ensued. Although Barbara's’ passing left a void, he cherished Mrs. Tate as a daughter. He later met Patricia Thrower and on March 17, 2012 they were married. Their union blended a family of seven children, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Anderson was a natural born outdoorsman who enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and baseball. On Wednesday, April 26, 2017 with his family by his side, he passed into the Lord’s embrace. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters and four brothers. He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife and caregiver, Patricia; his children, Rosiland (Ronald) Townes of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Marilyn R. (DJ) Jenkins of Merrillville, IN, Rodney Walker of Redford, MI and Rhonda Walker of Southfield, MI; also Shavonda (Jerome) Barrett of Arkadelphia, Kendrick Thrower of Houston, TX and Shelley (Cassandra) Thrower of Decatur, AL whom he loved as his own. He also leaves his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, as well as, a special niece, Mary Hunter; several other nieces; a special nephew, Garland Hunter, other nephews, cousins, special friends Glen Taylor and Frederick Middleton both of Arkadelphia, other friends and the St. Paul AME Church family. Public visitation will be Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family and friends hour will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A home going celebration will be shared at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church with Rev. T. W. Scott, eulogist. Interment will be at Center Point Cemetery in Sparkman, Arkansas.