Mrs. Ruthie Mae Walker

***THE GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH IS HOSTING A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR THE FAMILY OF MRS. RUTHIE MAE WALKER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023 **** PLEASE SEE VISITATIONS & SERVICE TIMES THAT ARE LISTED BELOW ****NOTE: MASKS ARE OPTIONAL AT THE CHURCH AND HAND SANITIZER WHEN WILL BE PROVIDED. _________________________________________ *****IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN MEMORY TO RUTHIE BY (2) OPTIONS: 1. By mail to the: Ecumenical Senior Center, 702 N. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (Please write "Ruthie Walker" on memo line) --Or-- 2. Via link below: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ecumenicalsenior ___________________________________________ ****ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO VIEW SERVICES ONLINE YOU HAVE (4) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM: 1. Go to Galilee Baptist Church's website at: gbckazoo.org -Or 2. Go to YouTube and type in The Galilee Baptist Church Lives Stream -Or 3. Go to Facebook, if you have a Facebook account. after logging in, type in Galilee Baptist Church -Or- 4. Use the GBC App, Instagram or Twitter ________________________________ Scroll Of Life Ruthie Mae Walker was called home to be with the Lord on November 13, 2023. She was born in Aberdeen, MS on November 28, 1942, to the late Irene Porter and Frank Clark. Ruthie was a loving daughter, devoted wife, an amazing mom and Nana, caring sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As a teen Ruthie moved north for a better opportunity first to Gary, Indiana with her Uncle Junior, and Aunt Dessie and then she settled in Kalamazoo with her Aunt Delma and Uncle Bill. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, she began working at the First National Bank. In 1965 Ruthie was introduced to the love of her life Moses (coincidentally by his brother Alex) and after a brief courtship they were married and would spend 54 wonderful years together until his death in 2020. Family was always at the center of Ruthie’s life so when her children were small, she made the choice to stay home with them until her youngest entered school. Once her kids were in school, she decided to take a part-time job at the Upjohn Company (which would become Pharmacia and now Pfizer). When a position posted for a Tour Guide her bubbly personality and charm earned her the job and she became the first and only African American to ever have that position. After 25 years of service Ruthie retired and did what she LOVED to do, which was take care of Moses and her granddaughters. Ruthie had a mean swing on the golf course and was the “stroke police” and would check you if she caught you “cheating” on your score. She enjoyed bowling, scratch off lottery tickets and never saw a BINGO hall she did not love. She was an amazing cook and baker and loved spending quality time with her family. Ruthie leaves to cherish her memory three children, Tari of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Mark of Kalamazoo, MI, and Stacy Walker of Woodbridge, VA; grandchildren Jasmine, Navia and Myah Walker all of Kalamazoo, brothers Marshall Clark (Vanessa) of Gary, IN and Coleman Vassar (Sarah) of Fulton, MS; sisters Barbara Smith of St. Paul, MN and Stella Dixon of Kalamazoo; a very special niece Angela Word of Amory, MS, a host of nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, Moses L. Walker, her brothers Harvey Lenoir and Frank Clark, Jr.

Mrs. Ruthie Mae Walker

November 28, 1942 - November 13, 2023