The final chapter in the life of Acey Samuel Walker concluded with hundreds of family, friends and the leadership of the Mississippi Southern First and the Greater New Orleans Louisiana Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions celebrating the life of a good and faithful servant at funeral services held Friday, April 30 at Pleasant Valley COGIC and Saturday, May 1 at Dillon Hill COGIC in Tylertown, MS. God called his beloved servant home to glory on April 23, 2010 after allowing him 85 years of bringing joy into the lives of others. Superintendent Acey S. Walker was born July 5, 1924 in Tylertown, MS, one of sixteen children born to the union of the late Vanda Magee Walker and the late Nelson Walker. Born into seemingly obscurity, no one knew the tremendous mission that God had planned for him.
Supt. Walker’s early training and passion for learning began at the community school known as Magee’s Creek Elementary. He later attended Magee’s Creek Vocational High School was the valedictorian of the class of 1943. He continued his education by attending Tugaloo Christian College and later Charles Harrison Mason Bible College where he graduated with honor and distinction and later in life became an instructor for a number of years in the bible college system.
Supt. Walker married the love of his life, Wilma Ruth (Davis) Walker on July 18, 1948 at Dalton Street COGIC in Jackson, MS. They remained faithful to each other for over 61 years and were blessed with one daughter and three sons. They decided to start their new life together by moving to New Orleans, LA and quickly became active members of First COGIC under the pastorate of the late Bishop James Feltus. Supt. Walker served as the announcer for the church’s radio broadcast ministry and also worked tirelessly with the Young People Willing Workers ministry.
Supt Walker began his professional career working for Morrison Cafeteria in New Orleans. Due to his engaging personality and commitment to service, he quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the company’s most valued employees. His unprecedented 45 years of quality service earned him every award and recognition the company offered. As he would often say, “This is more than a job, but a ministry.” In 1973 Supt. Walker and his wife returned to Jackson, MS. He continued his work ministry for Morrison’s Cafeteria upon returning to Jackson at the Old Canton Road location and later at the MetroCenter where the private dining area was named after him in recognition of his many years of service with the company.
After returning to Jackson and being called to the ministry, Supt. Walker was asked to accept the pastorate of Dillon Hill COGIC in Tylertown, MS – the very church his father and grandfather built in 1918. Given the vision of erecting a new church edifice, Supt. Walker initiated a Building Fund Drive in 1983, dedicating the new church in 1985. Seeing the need for future growth an addition consisting of a new baptismal, Fellowship Hall, classrooms, offices and a two car garage was completed in 1995.
In 1974, Supt. Walker accepted the pastorate of Pleasant Valley COGIC, Tylertown, MS. Under his leadership, Pleasant Valley COGIC erected and dedicated a new church in 1979. In 2000, the pastor’s vision for a new building for the growing congregation at Pleasant Valley COGIC was realized with the dedication of a new and larger structure.
Supt. Walker’s love for and devotion to God and the COGIC church contributed to the growth and success of the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. In addition to his pastorate at Dillon Hill COGIC for 37 years and Pleasant Valley COGIC for 36 years, his service to the jurisdiction included Jurisdictional President of the YPWW 1988-1997, and Superintendent of the 14 churches in the No. 4 District since 1999.
A man who walked with the great, but never lost his common touch and humble demeanor, he made everybody fell like somebody. He was a loving, passionate, and energetic leader who was devoted to God, his church, family, and friends. He was in every way the epitome of a servant leader. The service he rendered while on Earth shall never be forgotten, but will forever remain a memorial to a life well lived.
Among those who shall have fond and loving memories of this great man of God are his wife Wilma Ruth Davis Walker; his daughter Verline Diane Roland (James) of Pineville, La., three sons Larry Nelson Walker of McDonough, Ga., Acey Samuel Walker (Ingrid) of Lithonia, Ga., Terence Bruno Walker (Lorraine) Lithonia, Ga., one brother Lindsey Walker (Jessie Lee) of Columbia, Ms., three sisters Girta Mae Longmire of Detroit, Michigan, Ernest Lee Goodman of Chicago, IL., and Mallie V. Ellis (James) of Chicago, IL., Ten grandchildren (Rayphael, Terri, Larry Jr., Jecole, Theodore, Timothy, Derrick, Stacey, Brandon, and Cameron), four great grandchildren; nieces, nephews; numerous other relatives and countless friends from across the country. Finally, he leaves his church family and will be sorely missed from Dillion Hill and Pleasant Valley COGIC, the No. 4 District, the Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and the Church of God in Christ Family across the nation.
The family of the late Superintendent Acey S. Walker acknowledges with deep appreciation the many prayers, visits, calls, cards, flowers, and expressions of kindness extended during the period of bereavement.
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