Mattie Lou Paul Walker, 92, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024. She was born July 30, 1931 in Harrison, daughter of Leonard Denton and Cynthia Lily Monday Paul. She was in the last graduating class of Bellefonte High School before school consolidation. She met the love of her life, James A. Walker, a Ouachita Baptist College student, when he went as pastor of Bellefonte Baptist Church. She was treasurer of the church. They were married July 27, 1952 in the new building of Bellefonte Baptist Church. They enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas and graduated in January, 1956.
During their ministry in the pastorates of churches where they served in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. She was involved in the mission organizations as well as teaching in Sunday School. When moving to Little Rock, she was employed by Arkansas Baptist Foundation and then Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home, from which she retired. During retirement, she enjoyed their many travels which included all fifty states plus one summer spent representing Arkansas Baptist State Convention in relation with the English speaking churches of Europe.
They have been blessed with two sons and their wives: Karl and Joan Walker; their children, Kyle, Kaiti and Abby Walker Crow and Caleb; Jim and Leigh Walker; their daughters, Sarah and Hannah; one sister-in-law, June Paul; and nieces and nephews, Dennis, Marie, Phillip, and Cindy. Her brother, Ray D. Paul predeceased her.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home.
Family will hold service at 1p.m. Sunday, January 21, at Bellefonte Baptist Church in Harrison.
