Mrs. Margaret Walker

A TIME TO BE BORN . Margaret Leota was born on August 18, 1934 to Alonzo Litten Holman and Emily McAlpine Holman in Kingston, TN. She was the first of two beautiful daughters, spending her early years in Dayton, TN before relocating to Nashville, where she grew up on the campus of Tennessee State University.

A TIME TO EMBRACE ... Margaret accepted Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of twelve at the First Baptist Church of Capital Hill in Nashville. She moved to Evanston, IL in 1950, graduating from Evanston Township High School. She began a long-dedicated career as a servant of Christ, volunteering her unique talents to aid the needy within our community. A gift to be remembered by all that she touched - a true angel amongst the living.

A TIME LOVE . Margaret was united in Holy Matrimony to her first love, Kenneth T. Walker, Jr. on June 6, 1954. To this union four beautiful children were born - Lynne, Michael, Leslie, and Annette. In 1989 she adopted Kial Nicole and Michelle, providing a stable loving environment for them to grow into flourishing adults .  

A TIME TO SHARE .. To many, Margaret was a gracious hostess, not just to her family but to all who were fortunate to enter her "kitchen" or cross her path. She used her culinary skills to build bridges in the Evanston commu- nity, most notable as the supervisor of the Tuesday Soup Kitchen at Second Baptist serving the homeless or repast meals for the bereaved. She is well known in Evanston for her butter yeast rolls, pound cake, roast beef and of course her famous macaroni & cheese casserole. No matter your status you could always depend on her to give you a positive word. Even in her sickness, she continued with a calm demeanor, but her actions spoke boldly of her love for family and friends, but most of all her love for Cod.

A TIME TO SERVE .. In 1973 under the Pastorate of Rev. Dr. Hycel B. Taylor, Margaret's service at Second Baptist made an immediate impact, assuming all clerical duties and responsibilities of the church. She later became the church clerk, then took on the role as Executive Pastor's Assistant under Rev. Taylor. On February 13, 1983 Margaret became the first of two female Deacons ordained at Second Baptist, a true trailblazer within the Progressive National Baptist Convention. She has served Cod through many auxiliaries, Vice Chairperson of the Deacon Board, Second Sunday Fellowship, Wedding Coordinator, Ladies Auxiliary, Library committee, Nursery ... providing leadership to each Ministry. Her service continued outside of the church, as Ways. and Means chairperson at Dewey Elementary School, elected as the President of the ladies Junior Auxiliary for the old Community Hospital. This opportunity led her to a career in banking, starting out at Evanston Federal Savings and Loan, selected as the second African American to become Assistant Manager of Tellers, then selected as the first African American to receive the title Personal Banker. 'I In 1984, as C1TICORP Savings advisor to Junior Achievement, she was solely responsible for recruiting 139 Evanston Township High School students to be Junior Achievement members, most noted Trustee Kristian Harris as one of her recipients. She was recognized in 1985 with a service excellence award. After 35 years of dedicated service to the banking industry, Margaret retired from BMO Harris. At the end of every phone call before the Sun sets in preparation for a new Day you could always depend on Margaret to give you a positive word!

A TIME TO DIE . Margaret was called home to rest with God on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 4:37 a.m. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children: Lynne Brown of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Michael Walker (Brenda) of Oklahoma City, OK, Leslie Crawford (lessie) of Bloomfield, CN, Annette Walker, Kial Walker (Kevin), and Michelle Hudson (Andrew), all of Evanston, IL; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; her devoted sister, Lucille Morris of Syracuse, NY; cousins: Joann Collins of East Lansing, MI, Elizabeth Morris of Char- lotte, NC, Learna Wiley of Alexandra, LA, Crace Ann Blakey of Cary, IN, Mustafa Abdul-Aleem of Nash- ville, TN; her caring sisters-in law: Yvonne Seawright of Riverside, CA, Cheryl Thomas of Bethesda, MD, Kathryn Walker of Chicago, IL; her beloved brothers-in-law, Horace Combs (Elizabeth) and Eugene Free- man (Gaye), both of Evanston, IL; and dear goddaughters, Crystal Lloyd of Evanston, IL and Debbie Willingham of Orlando Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, and good friends who will also cherish her memory.

Best gratitude to friends, C. Louise Brown who stood with her from her beginning diagnosis through every chemo treatment and Harriet Johnson who was her dedicated "special taxi driver" throughout chemo treatments and church.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director

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