EDWARD MAR WALKER
June 8, 1935-Feb. 27, 2011
GREENVILLE -- The Rev. Edward Mar "Ed" Walker, 75, Greenville, N.C., departed this life Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.
Born June 8, 1935, in Rose Hill, N.C., he was the son of the late James D and Sula Walker.
He attended school in Wilmington, N.C. After high school, he attended Holmes Bible College, and completed advanced studies at the Universities of Georgia and Notre Dame.
Ed Walker was the consummate "giver," and spent his life encouraging and developing people in Christian faith and the business world.
He spent 38 years as a senior pastor, leading congregations at Union Chapel in Holden's Beach, Oak Heights in Goldsboro, Long Branch and Emmanuel in Dunn and Unity and Grace in Greenville, N.C.
In addition to his ministry, he spent 22 years as a chamber of commerce executive, serving as president of the Dunn Area and Greenville-Pitt County chambers of commerce.
In "retirement" he expressed his passion for developing leaders by conducting professional development seminars and building an award winning group sales team for Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. Ed Walker invested his life in others.
He was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, a recipient of the North Carolina Governor's Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a former board member of East Carolina Vocational Center and Pitt County Salvation Army and former district chairman in the Occoneechee Council BSA.
He was a member of Oakmont Baptist Church.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Jane Brown Walker; his sister, Martha Lee Blanton; and brothers, James D. Walker Jr. and Frank Walker.
Ed Walker was a revered father, devoted grandfather and proud great-grandfather.
He is survived by, daughter, Pam and husband, Gary Smith, of Washington, N.C.; sons, Edward M. Walker Jr. and Gordon and wife, Eva Walker all of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, Holly Walker of Charlotte, N.C., Woody and Samantha Broome and Jessica Smith of Washington, N.C., Russell and LeAnn Walker Bagasala of Virginia Beach, Va., and Alex Walker and Jaron Walker of Greenville, N.C.; great-grandson, Preston Broome of Washington, N.C.; his brother-in-law, the Rev. Ralph and wife, Jeanie Brown, of Laurinburg, N.C.; sisters-in-law, Annie Laura Stewart of Raleigh, N.C., Julia Sellers of Leland, N.C., and Pat Brown of Kernersville, N.C.; many nieces and nephews; and friend and longtime business partner, Frances Faust.
A celebration of the Rev. Walker's life will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Oakmont Baptist Church, 1100 Red Banks Road, Greenville, N.C., with Dr. Greg Rogers and the Rev. Ralph Brown officiating.
The family will receive friends after the celebration, and at other times at the Rev. Walker's home. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Memorial Fund, Oakmont Baptist Church, 1100 Red Banks Road, Greenville, N.C., 27858.
The Rev. Walker's family would like to thank his many friends, who have been so generous with their love and support for him.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 1, 2011 1:48 PM