Sally Turner Walker

Sally Belle Turner Walker, 78, interstate/ highway sign (mis)interpreter, mageirocophobe, captain of all things obvious, lover of any animal print apparel, HABITUAL FACEBOOK COMMENTER (if you know, you know) inspirational quote reposter, and Em’s boutique ultimate hype girl “shuffled off this mortal coil” surrounded by her family, at Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston TX, in the early morning hours of December 8, 2023.

Sally was preceded in death by her mother, Stella Smith Turner, her father, Ross Turner and sister, Joann Turner Wilburn, She is survived by her husband of 55 years and part time Fox News contributor, William H. (Bill) Walker, Jr, daughters, Laura Walker Collins and Emily Walker Puckett (John) and grandchildren, Emilee and Olivia Belle Collins, Emma Puckett, and twin sister, Stella Turner Melton along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Sally made her first and only debut 78 years ago in Yazoo City, MS. She and her identical twin, Stella, “The Turner Twins” were well known for their shenanigans and shared top billing as the baby Jesus in their hometown nativity in one of Willie Morris’s epistles about Yazoo City. Sally attended Yazoo City schools where, at the fighting weight of 90 pounds and the staggering height of 5 feet, she excelled at basketball, and just about any other sport she tried. Sally and Stella were quite popular and one or the other was almost always voted Miss “Whatever” or Most “Everything”. The twins always had two bites at the apple because no one really knew who they were voting for... Was it Sally? Maybe Stella? Who really knew!?!? Sally graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1963 and attended MSCW where she was a member of the Lockhart Social Club. In 1966, she graduated early from Ole Miss with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she taught 5th grade at Williams Elementary in Greenwood, MS. In January 1968, while teaching 1st grade at Annie Ellis Elementary School in Yazoo City, Sally and Bill “jumped the broom”. Shortly thereafter, she and Bill began their Army adventure at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, where Sally taught at Skiles Test Elementary school.

In May of 1970, after being discharged from the army, Bill got a job selling computers in Washington DC. While living in Virginia, Bill would drop Sally off at Chapel Square Elementary where she taught 1st grade. He remembers the children lined up to greet her, so excited to start their day with “Mrs. Walker”. In mid 1972, Bill started a new venture as a stockbroker. He and Sally alternated commuting between New York City and Washington DC on the weekends. They moved to Dallas in January 1973 just in time to welcome the most severe bear market in history. The only good thing they got out of Dallas, was Laura, born in May of 1973. In the fall of 1975, in the midst of the unrelenting bear market, they looked for greener pastures and found them in the Big Easy with a commercial bank. To Sally’s great credit, (or fault) whenever Bill got fired, and they had to pull up stakes, she never asked how, when, where or why. She never had any doubt or hesitation and completely supported and totally trusted any decision he made regarding their future. In 1978, as they settled in New Orleans, Emily arrived and completed their family.

Sally adjusted quite well to NOLA and spent 30 very happy and comfortable years where she never met a stranger and WAS known as room mom, field trip chaperone, silk screen aficionado, Christmas holly treat making, paper mache master, day camp director, puffy paint sweatshirt creator, slumber party hostess, party organizer, kitchen counter hair froster and perhaps most notably, professional breakfast burner. Unfortunately, and much to her chagrin, she WAS NOT to be known as the New Orleans Country Club Ladies Golf Club Champion, having to settle for runner up 5 times.

In 2006, after Katrina and Bill’s retirement, they moved to Jackson, MS to be closer to family. Over the years in Jackson, Sally cultivated her golf, social and bar tending skills. It was early in their stay that Nell Bradford graciously allowed Sally to win the Country Club of Jackson’s Ladies Golf Club Championship (Finally!!!)! Much to the displeasure of Nell’s mother. It was in Jackson that Sally sharpened her grandmothering skills with Emilee and Olivia, mastering them by 2019 when Emma arrived in Houston. She was always present in her girls lives and never missed a softball game, a school function, a dance recital, gymnastics meet or camp drop off UNLESS it interfered with a golf tournament.

She truly cherished her family and friends and looked forward to visits with her daughters and granddaughters, where she was their biggest fan and most spirited cheerleader. She loved hunting and golfing with Bill and his pals, her girl trips, lunches with friends, the twenty-one club, her New Yorkers Sunday school class, and summers spent golfing and entertaining in Colorado.

In the summer of 2023, we received news that a two phase heart surgery was necessary to correct a critical aortic aneurysm. A plan was created, and she traveled to Houston where she charmed everyone she met— doctors, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and valets—because she never met a stranger. For reasons that are almost impossible to comprehend, there were complications from the second surgery. After the most valiant and courageous 6 week fight, she succumbed to multiple organ failure. The staff in Houston shared our sorrow as they too had grown to love her and recognize what a tremendous fighter she was.

The family invites you to wear your favorite colorful attire to celebrate Sassy’s vibrance and love of life and join them for visitation at Christ United Methodist Church on December 14, 2023 at 4 pm with a Service of Remembrance at 5pm. A reception will follow at the Country Club of Jackson. A celebration of life will also be held in New Orleans after the new year.

The Walker family would like to thank the staff at Baylor St Luke’s for their care and comfort during Sassy’s stay—our nurses, Kristi, Xavier, Ray, Anna, Richard, Diamond, Izzy, Bailei, Eugenia. Marina , Mary, and especially Dr. Anna Xue, and so many others too numerous to mention.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the New Yorkers Sunday school class at Christ United Methodist Church (attention: York Craig) 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson MS 39211.

"You can never tell for whom or when the bell will toll."

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