Elwain L. Walker

Elwain Lejeune Walker, 79, of Poplar Bluff died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at Mark Twain Caring Center, in Poplar Bluff after an illness of ten years.

Mrs. Walker was born Feb. 15, 1928, in Hendrickson to Alfred and Ilah (Pace) Hillis. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in May, 1945 and began her 44 years of teaching the following fall, teaching at Agee (1945-48), Pike Slough (1948-54), Caledonia (1954-57), and Mark Twain School (1960-1992). She graduated from Arkansas State University in 1963 with a BSE in elementary education and had completed graduate work at Southeast Missouri State University. Mrs. Walker was a founding member of Missouri National Education Association and a former member of MSTA. She was Mark Twain Teacher of the Year in 1991.

Mrs. Walker was an active member of First Christian Church where she had served on the board of directors, the daycare board, Sunday School teacher for the Antioch Class and many committees. Mrs. Walker was a past worthy matron, past grand representative to Arkansas, and past district deputy grand matron for Poplar Bluff Chapter 344, OES. She had been a member of the Scottish Rite Women's Club, Shrine Auxiliary, and Rainbow Girls advisory board. She was a former member of AAUW, and was a past president and Woman of the Year for BPW. She had been a RSVP volunteer and a Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters, traveling to Branson, gardening, crafting and camping.

On June 3, 1949, she married Burrus Hardin Walker, in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death on Dec. 8, 2003.

Survivors include a daughter, Janey Gray and her husband, Jesse of Poplar Bluff; three granddaughters, Jessica Gray, of Russellville, Ark., Sarah Gray and Emily Gray, of Poplar Bluff.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. Eastern Star services will begin at 6 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel, with the Rev. Ken McAnulty officiating. Burial will be in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the OES Estarl fund, First Baptist Church, or First Christian Church.