Anna Ramey Walker

Anna Ramey Walker, cherished wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, at the age of 80. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on October 11, 1937. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she obtained both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in speech pathology. She was married to Jerry Wadsworth Walker, a loving husband and caretaker, to the end of her remarkable life.

During the course of her long career, she devoted her efforts to the detection and treatment of learning disorders in children, in particular, dyslexia. From 1960-1962, she worked at Alaska Crippled Children's Treatment Center in Anchorage, Alaska, where she developed speech evaluation and therapy services for children in Alaskan villages and communities. She returned to Oklahoma in 1962, where she worked eleven years at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Child Study Center, directing its Diagnostic Preschool Program. Her path took her to Red River, New Mexico, for one year, where she worked for the University of New Mexico, training and supervising graduate students teaching in nine northern New Mexico schools. In 1975, she moved her three young children to Dallas, Texas, to accept a position as Preschool Director of Child Development at the incomparable Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, where she was surrounded by a group of gifted doctors, hospital staff and employees who shared her passion for serving the needs of children with learning disabilities.

She was employed by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for 27 years. During the course of her illustrious career at the hospital, she served as the Administrative Director of the Child Development Division, where she helped develop its Diagnostic Outreach Program and implemented that program across the State of Texas to school districts and educational centers. She developed the hospital's Gifted and Talented Program and coordinated development of its Literacy Program. By the time she retired in 2002, she was promoted to Vice-President of Development and served on the hospital's executive staff.

Anna served on countless boards during her career, including the Board of Directors of the Shelton School, Literacy Instruction for Texas, National Orton Dyslexia Society and the Development Council, College of Education, Texas A & M University. When she was not working at the hospital, she conducted parenting classes for parents, churches, schools and organizations. She produced a video with Family Experiences Productions, Inc., "Parenting Preschoolers". She was an avid golfer and reader. Her energy was boundless and she treasured the time she volunteered at Jubilee Park Community Center and her church. Her love for children was immeasurable and exceeded only by the love and support she provided to her family.

Anna is survived by her husband, Jerry Walker, her son, Hardin Ramey, and his wife, Betsy, her son, Cole Ramey, her daughter, Diane Medley, and her husband, Daniel, eight grandchildren: Chandler, Carver, Mary Margaret, Dasha, Van Alex, Anna, Charlie and Margo, along with her sister, Nancy Laughbaum, her husband, Graydon, and her brother, Nick. She treasured her relationship with Jerry's son, Kevin, and his wife, Donna, and his son, Trevor, and his wife, Jessica, along with their children and her nephews, nieces and many friends. Her family wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation for the wonderful care provided to Anna for the past 14 months by Acapella In Home Care and its loving caretakers, Bogalech "BB" Kefale and Rahma Legese.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church at 4pm on Thursday, October 4, 2018. The family requests that in lieu of flowers any donations be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St, Dallas, Texas 75219.