Leila Jean Bunkley Walker was born June 18, 1943 in Talbotton, GA to the late Mr. George Bunkley and Mrs. Mattie Mae Thornton Bunkley, the second oldest of three children. Early in her life she met and married Bobby Larry Walker of Thomaston, GA, who preceded her in death. Out of this union, three children were born: Muriel, John and Michael. Her youngest daughter, Carla, was born several years later.
Jean, as she was affectionately known, was educated in the Talbot County school system. She was an active member of Concord Baptist Church until her health started failing. She held jobs at Martha Mills, Goody Products and Dundees during her working career.
Jean was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to all that knew and loved her. She was “grandma” to a lot of children in Talbotton and could tell you many stories about looking after the neighborhood toddlers while giving their mothers a break. She was an excellent cook and was very well-known for her delicious collard greens. Some nicknamed her “The Collard Greens Lady”. She liked dancing, sewing, listening to blues and gospel music and fishing. She worked hard and endured a lot to raise four children as a single mother. She was always willing to look after any relative or neighbor that was sick and needed extra care.
She was preceded in death by her sister Cathleen and her nieces Lottie and Brenda.The angels were dispatched early Tuesday morning, October 1, 2019 to deliver her from an aggressive battle with cancer that she was fighting.
Jean leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory four children: Muriel (Danny) Marshall of Manchester, GA, John (Maria) Walker of Lagrange, GA, Michael (Cheryl) Walker of Griffin, GA, and Carla McCrory of Woodland, GA; two stepchildren: Tony (Kim) Hollis of Macon, GA and Latoya (Steve) Colbert of Thomaston, GA; twelve grandchildren: John (Takeita), Tramesha, Tramez, Demetrius, Danny, Cerrone, Dana (Travis), Emma, Danielle, Olivia, India and Tony Jr.; eight great-grandchildren: Kayla, Adonis, Akira,Cerrinity, Stevonte, Tristan, Dimitri and Laith; one sister, Louise B. Mitchell of Talbotton, GA.; one aunt, Mary J. Neal of Talbotton, GA; two sisters-in- law: Anne Trammell of Dayton, OH, and Myrtle Walker of Thomaston, GA.; one special sister-cousin: Elaine Stubbs; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
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