Gregory Walker

If life is a song worth singing, then every breath taken should exude the melody, the harmony, and the rhapsody of Gregory Walker. Gregory transitioned peacefully on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at the age of 60. Within six amazing decades, this accomplished pianist and vocalist found a way to leave an indelible mark on the life of every person he touched.

The unforgettable moment in time was August 24, 1960; it was then that Gregory “Greg” made his grand entrance into the  world. He was the beloved son of Marvin T. and Bobbie Gean and cherished brother of Mershell and LaNelle. Family played a key role in the development and shaping of his life.

Greg was a mischievous child, but was truly gifted and talented. He excelled as a little boy and early on displayed beautiful penmanship. At the early age of 12 he began playing the piano, and the first song he learned to play was “Oh Happy Day”. He was baptized at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church and was an active member.

Marvin T. and Bobbie taught their children early to adhere to high morals, spiritual, and educational values. He was a 1978 graduate of Sparkman High School. Shortly after receiving his high school diploma he left home at the age of 18 to pursue his love of music by becoming the pianist for the late Pastor Wilson O. Rideout at Gomez Chapel in Rockford, IL and Payne AME in Waterloo, IA.

He was a talented unicyclist, artist, and cook; skills that he held privately and among family. He was a bible scholar and taught Sunday School. In 1983, he earned his cosmetology license from JBA Prestige Beauty College. He went on to become a master hairstylist. Gregory had numerous customers who would drive from near and far to sit in his chair to receive his master cuts and styles.

Gregory immersed himself in music and ministry. He was the musician at Harmony Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church, Sparkman, AR up until the time of his death. He has served as a musician at Union Baptist Church, Hope, AR; First Baptist Church, Carthage, AR; Sparkman Singing Union in Sparkman, AR; and the Sparkman Male Chorus. He organized Sparkman Youth Choir, and he was one of the pianists for the Greater Bradley District Association Choir. His signature and favorite song to perform was “I Won’t Complain”. He was afforded the opportunity to audition to play for the Grammy Award-winning Clark Sisters.

Greg worked for several construction companies including Landon Construction. He was currently employed at Ray White Lumber Company in Sparkman, AR.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dea. Marvin T. Walker.

He leaves his mother, Bobbie Gean Walker, Sparkman, AR; sisters, Mershell Walker-Johnson, Garden Ridge, TX and Armetrius LaNelle Staples (Kane) Bastrop, TX; nephews, Toma Williams, JR, (great nephew Thomas Williams), Solomon Staples, and Seth Staples, Bastrop, TX; aunts, Marie Lee, Thornton, AR; Lucy Washington, Baltimore, MD; Ruthie (James) Alexandria, San Antonio, TX; Hazel (Larry) Webster, Memphis, TN; uncles, Depriest (Brenda) Webb, Las Vegas, NV; W.C. (Violene) Webb, Reno, NV; and Elmer Webb, Las Vegas, NV. His five children and grandchildren: Darnell Penix, Little Rock, AR, Delshunna Davis and her three sons, Jalen, Darius, Dasean, Nashville, TN; adopted daughter, Janisha Ingram and her son, Jahsier Malone, Rockford, IL; Jarvis (Shateca) Boose and their three children, Shatayja, Jahtiyah, and Jarvis JR, Rockford, IL; Miquel Ford, and his son, Malakai, Waterloo, IA, and T’Khyah Walker, Hope, AR; Goddaughter, La Trisia Hall, Hot Springs, AR; and Godmother, Lessie Rideout, Rockford, IL.

Visitation will be Friday, July 2, 2021 from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Williams Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Depriest Webb, officiating and Dr. David Webb, eulogist. Repast following the service at Community Family Enrichment Center, 301 N. 23rd St., Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Interment Harmony Cemetery, 949 Dallas 205 Sparkman, AR 71763.

Active pallbearers are Louis Ankton, Jermaine Butler, Ricky Craig, Samuel Harrison, Bobby King, and James Osbourne. Honorary pallbearers are Dea. Herman Butler, Christopher Harden, Peter Harden, Bro. Elmer Webb, Toma Williams, Jr., and Dea. William A. Wright.