Ruthie Mae Walker

Ruthie Mae Walker of Kalamazoo, MI., was called home to be with the Lord on November 13, 2023. She was born in Aberdeen, MS on November 28, 1942, to the late Irene Porter and Frank Clark. Ruthie was a loving daughter, devoted wife, an amazing mom and Nana, caring sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. As a teen Ruthie moved north for a better opportunity first to Gary, Indiana with her Uncle Junior, and Aunt Dessie and then she settled in Kalamazoo with her Aunt Delma and Uncle Bill. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, she began working at the First National Bank. In 1965 Ruthie was introduced to the love of her life Moses (coincidentally by his brother Alex) and after a brief courtship they were married and would spend 54 wonderful years together until his death in 2020. Family was always at the center of Ruthie's life so when her children were small, she made the choice to stay home with them until her youngest entered school. Once her kids were in school, she decided to take a part-time job at the Upjohn Company (which would become Pharmacia and now Pfizer). When a position posted for a Tour Guide her bubbly personality and charm earned her the job and she became the first and only African American to ever have that position. After 25 years of service Ruthie retired and did what she LOVED to do, which was take care of Moses and her granddaughters. Ruthie had a mean swing on the golf course and was the "stroke police" and would check you if she caught you "cheating" on your score. She enjoyed bowling, scratch off lottery tickets and never saw a BINGO hall she did not love. She was an amazing cook and baker and loved spending quality time with her family. Ruthie leaves to cherish her memory three children, Tari, Mark, and Stacy Walker; grandchildren Jasmine, Navia and Myah Walker, brothers Marshall Clark (Vanessa) and Coleman Vassar (Sarah); sisters Barbara Smith and Stella Dixon; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, Moses L. Walker, her brothers Harvey Lenoir and Frank Clark, Jr.

Public viewing and family visitation will be held Friday, November 24, 2023, from 4 P.M. - 6 P.M. at: Harper Funeral Home, 521 Douglas Avenue, in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 11A.M. at Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo. Interment will follow services at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery (S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo). In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Ruthie to the:

Ecumenical Senior Center, 702 N. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or via link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ecumenicalsenior. You may leave words of comfort to the family at:

http://www.harperfuneral.com