Dezzie Walker

Dezzie Dillon Walker passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the age of 98. She was born on September 17, 1915 near Leesville, Louisiana to John and Celia Dillon. The family moved to Upshur County, Texas and she attended school in Coffeeville. Later Mrs. Walker went to Longview Beauty School and became a licensed beautician. In 1947 she married Forest Walker and they made their home at Walker’s Mill in Harrison County. There she opened “Dezzie’s Beauty Shop” and her customers came from all around the East Texas area. Due to her compassionate and outgoing personality, her customers soon became her close friends. In 1965 Forest and she moved to Longview on FM 2208 and there she operated her beauty shop for more than 30 years. Mrs. Walker was always an active member of a Baptist church, and when they moved to Longview she became a member of Valley View Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served wherever there was a need. She truly loved her church and the Lord. Although, she worked many hours in her shop, she always made sure that homes with sickness or those suffering from the loss of a family member had food. Many times she was called to a funeral home to prepare the hair or nails for the final viewing of a friend. When asked once by her granddaughter “Why?” she replied, “I know how she liked her hair and this is the least I can do for my friend.” She also spent many hours at Holiday Lodge Nursing Home (Specialty Care) cutting and curling hair, doing nails and other things to bring pleasure to the residents. She was honored by Holiday Lodge as Volunteer of the Year in 1987. Mrs. Walker’s grandchildren loved to spend time with her and Papaw. There was always a goat, calf, donkey or horse to play with and feed. She always had time to make special cookies and Rice Crispy Treats for them. Her four grandchildren were her pride and joy. Mrs. Walker is preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six (56) years, Forest Walker, four brothers, a sister, and a grandson, Michael Wade Kerr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nelda and Wade Kerr, her son and daughter-in-law, D.L. and Edith Wilson, all who reside in Longview. She is also survived by three granddaughters and their husbands. Pam and Mike Murphy (Tyler), Donna and Tony McGuire (Longview), and Michelle and Barton Bloom (Leawood, KS), ten great grandchildren, and two great-great granddaughters. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Nadine Landers Jackson of Walker’s Mill and Marie Dillon of Longview, as well as, a brother-in-law, Lloyd Walker of Hallsville, and a number of nieces, nephews, and many friends. Services to celebrate this great life will be held at Rader Funeral Home, Longview, Texas on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Noonday Cemetery in Harrison County immediately after the ceremony. Friends are welcome to join the family for a time of visitation and remembrances of Dezzie’s life prior to the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the staff of Highland Pines Nursing Home and Texas Home Health Hospice for their excellent care, Valley View Baptist Church, and First Christian Church of Longview for their love and caring concern while she was a resident of Highland Pines. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of choice or Valley View Baptist Church, 1602 Alpine Road, Longview, Texas 75602.

Dezzie Walker

September 17, 1915 - March 13, 2014