Joan Rae Walker's Obituary
Joan Rae Shumaker Walker, 92, died Friday, December 31, 2010 from complications of pneumonia. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 20, 1918, Joan was the first of four children of Ray Lionel and Agnes Ellen O'Brien Shumaker. She graduated from Central High School in 1936 and attended Oklahoma Business School. During her lifetime, Joan's primary focus was her family, although she enjoyed a satisfying career as secretary at several local firms, including Kaiser Francis Oil Company and Children's Developmental Center. In 1939, she married Robert 'Bob' Carter Walker with whom she spent 56 years prior to his death in 1996. She and Bob were charter members of Fellowship Congregational Church where she also served as secretary for a number of years. Until her final illness, Joan enjoyed keeping up with current events, including local and national politics. Throughout her lifetime, she was an avid learner, reading and enjoying educational television. Those who knew her best held her in highest esteem for her dignity, grace and sense of humor ' in good times and bad. She loved unconditionally and with compassion. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jim Shumaker, daughter Jane Walker, son Joe Walker, grandsons Chris Henderson, Steven Henderson and Tod Walker Brooks. She is survived by a sister, Betty Lackner of New Braunfels, Texas, a brother Danny Shumaker of Tulsa, daughters Bobbie Henderson and husband Don of Tulsa, Dana Lack and husband Jeff of Houston, granddaughter Carrie Henderson Bowen and husband Shannon, great-grandson Blake Brooks, and great-granddaughter Madeline Rae Bowen, all of Tulsa, nieces, nephews and a loving and supportive church family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests charitable contributions to Camp Fire USA, 706 S Boston Ave, Tulsa, 74119, or Fellowship Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 2900 S Harvard Ave, Tulsa, 74114. A memorial service will be held for Joan at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, January 4, at Fellowship Congregational Church.
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