Wilburn M. Walker

Wilburn Morgan Walker

April 12, 1932 – November 30, 2024

Wilburn Morgan Walker was born in Charleston, Tennessee in Bradley County. He was the son of Burse King Walker and Rosa May Guffy. He was brother to Vernon Walker, Mildred Thomas Brown, Leonard Alfred Walker and Henry Walker. He was preceded in death by siblings and parents as follows:

Burse King Walker, his father, was born in Charleston, TN of Bradley County and died on June 15, 1947. 

Rosa May Guffy, his mother, was born on February 10, 1908 and died February 16, 1967.

James Morgan Walker, great-grandfather, was born August 5, 1860 and died in Trian, Georgia. He is buried in Rome, Georgia.

Vernon Walker, his brother, with his wife Edna.

Mildred Thomas Brown, his sister.

Leonard Alfred Walker, his brother, who died in infancy.

Henry Walker, his brother, who died in infancy.

At 17 years old, in 1949, Wilburn joined the military and served in the Air Force for 20 years as a Prop Propeller and C-130 mechanic. While serving he traveled on temporary duty to Japan, Taiwan, Iceland, Vietnam, etc. He regularly prepared aircraft for secret missions & supply runs over enemy territory. 

Wilburn met Annie Mae Casson at a dance near Chattanooga in 1956 and was smitten. When he took her home to meet his mother, Rosa May had already met Annie Mae and told him that this was the young woman she had wanted him to meet a month ago. The two were married in December, 1956 in Cleveland, TN. Together in life, they lived at various military bases including:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Abilene, Texas

Anchorage, Alaska

Pemberton, New Jersey

Topeka, Kansas. 

They enjoyed raising two kids on all these bases, namely, Sandra and Tony. Sandra reminisces as follows: “I always remember mom had supper ready on the table by 5:30pm but enjoyed experimenting with new recipes from her cooking magazines. Dad always provided the necessary things in life. Yet he made us tough for any hard times ahead. Dad loved our mother exclusively. She was his delight through many years—good and bad. Even through her diabetes, heart problems and losing her eyesight. In service to the family he cleaned, mowed, painted, and decorated for Christmas.”

After honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1970, Wilburn attended Lakeland Bible College in Lakeland, Florida for 3.5 years. He became a full-time minister of the gospel at small churches in Rome, Georgia and Metropolis, Illinois. Finally, he took a pastorship in Lakeland, Florida for the final 20 years of his ministry before retiring to full-time volunteerism. 

He volunteered as follows:

Church bus mechanic for the Assemblies of God church.

A meal delivery driver for Vesty.

Minister at the Polk County Jail prison ministry in Bartow, Florida.

Home improvement repairman at Stepping Stones Farm alongside his wife who helped with sewing and cooking.

Annie Mae preceded Wilburn in death on September 3, 2015. Several years later Wilburn’s heart and breath slowed. Nonetheless, he used a walker and called taxi cabs to get around town. Until the end he remained quick, witty and still a loving dad. Nine years later, he has re-united with his beloved Annie Mae. 

Wilburn is survived by one son, one daughter, six granddaughters, and five great grandchildren:

Tony Ray Walker, his son, with wife Debra Jenison (married October 1, 2008).

Tanoi Jane (Walker) Vuylsteke, his granddaughter, with husband Jeremy and children Mason (17 yrs old) & Krista (15 yrs old).

Tamara D’anne Walker, his granddaughter.

Sandra Lee (Marshall) Griffin, his daughter, with husband Leonard Griffin (married June 28, 1969).

Christy Darlene (Griffin) Pritchard, husband Nick Pritchard.

Patricia Suzanne Griffin, son Toviel Griffin Lankeu (6 years old).

Jaime Elizabeth Griffin, husband David Sowell.

Sarah Danielle Griffin.

Finally, Wilburn’s favorite scriptures were as follows:

Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 57: “The righteous man perishes and no one lays it to heart. Devout men are taken away while no one understands for the righteous man is taken away from evil. He enters into peace. They rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.”

Revelation 14:12: “Endurance of the saints who keep the commandments of God. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord that they may rest in their labor for their deeds follow them.”

Romans 10: “ Jesus is Lord. Belive in your heart that God raised him from the dead. You will be saved, justified with your mouth in confession. He who calls on the Lord will be saved.”

James 7: “Establish your heart. Examine yourself. The judge is standing at the door. You have seen the purpose of the Lord, compassion, mercy. Remain steadfast as Job. Any of you who have wandered from the truth. Bring him back. You will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sin.”

1 Peter: “Christ suffered that you may rejoice, His glory will be revealed, The spirit of Glory of God will rest on you. When the shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory.”

Psalms 16:15: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints.”

God commanded us to rest for his own good. The command is born out of mercy and kindness; out of the knowledge of human frailty. Death is never convenient, but death comes to us all. Yet we have a great hope. Jesus says I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again. Get your soul ready to meet Jesus before you die or before he comes again.