Barbara Keel Walker

Barbara Jean Keel was born on January 3, 1933 to the parentage of Oton Thelma Keel and Clifford Towles in Texarkana, TX. Barbara was raised by her loving and caring grandparents, Ed and Carrie Keel, who nurtured her into adulthood. She had one sister, Toledo Trice.

A Time to Plant

Barbara attended and graduated from Dunbar High School, Texarkana, TX. While at Dunbar, she cultivated her love for music and played the saxophone and piano. Post-graduation, she attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama majoring in Commercial Dietetics and was later hired as a dietician at Wiley College in Texas. In 1956, Barbara joined the U.S. Air Force, where she served as a Distribution Clerk in Charlottesville, SC and was honorably discharged in 1959. Barbara returned home to Texarkana and was an educator for the Texarkana Arkansas School System.

In December 1959, Barbara met Columbus Mills Walker and they married the following May. In September of 1961, the newly weds packed up their hopes and dreams and moved to Los Angeles, CA. Once established, the couple was blessed in July 1966 with their baby girl, Yólanda Sherraneé.

Barbara was a true friend and confidant to many, not only to family, but to anyone that crossed her path. Her trust, faith and belief in the “Glory of God” never wavered and she faced all obstacles head first. Her life-long motto “You may give out, but you NEVER give up” was her true testament, she was definitely a soldier. Barbara was outgoing, outspoken, and had a unique sense of humor, she was the “life of the party” and made everyone around her feel comfortable. She found joy in hosting get togethers at her house and had a heart of pure gold, always thinking of others. Barbara was known for her selflessness and generosity and always treated people with care and comfort, carrying herself with pride and confidence.

A Time to Die

After a life well-lived, Barbara departed this life for eternal rest with the Lord at age 85 on February 27, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents; Oton Keel and Clifford Towles, her grandparents; Ed and Carrie Keel, and her sister, Toledo Trice.

A Time to Mourn

Barbara leaves to cherish all of her loving and joyous memories to her loving and devoted husband, Columbus Walker, her daughter Yólanda Walker-Jackson, her son-in-law Derek Jackson, her granddaughter Tatíana and her grandson Bryce and a host of lovin