Jerene Walker

Funeral services for Anita Jerene Walker, 83, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Anita Jerene Walker, age 83, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Lufkin, Texas. She was born on September 30, 1940, in Lamesa, Texas, to the late James Thaniel Crumley and Katherine (Warren) Crumley. Jerene graduated from Crane High School in 1959, then went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree with a double major in music and English from Sul Ross University in 1963.

While at Sul Ross, Jerene met her true love, Jesse Walker, and they married on March 10, 1962. Through their 62 years together, she followed him from city to city to support his coaching career. Beginning both of their careers in Van Horn, Texas, they made stops in Sweetwater, Athens, Mesquite, and then Lufkin, where she earned her Master of Arts in English in 1979 from Stephen F. Austin State University. She retired from teaching after 35 years in May 2000.

Jerene enjoyed gardening, painting, singing, and playing the piano. She was an active member of Pilot Club of Lufkin from 1983 until 2019, holding several offices over the years, including President, Vice-President, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, among other leadership positions and received many awards. She entered Emeritus status in 2019. Jerene was an active member of First Baptist Church Lufkin and had been an attending member since 1977.

Jerene was the love of Jesse’s life and he was the love of hers; together they built a beautiful life together. She was Jesse’s biggest cheerleader, and this support extended to hundreds of basketball players on top of her students. She was mom to many, but she was Mom to Bryan, Deidra, Cne’, and Shannon. Through Cne’ and Shannon, she picked up Wade and Mark as well, and loved them like she had given birth to them. Her love for her children was infinite and she showed them every day. Life became even richer for Jerene when she had grandchildren. She filled her days with baseball, choir, band, and tennis, among other activities that Walker, Allison, Jeb, and Laurel participated in. Her most recent obsessions were her great-grandchildren, Carter and Raiden.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Jesse Walker of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Cne’ and Wade Blake; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Mark Abney; grandson, Walker Blake and wife, Katie; granddaughter, Allison Abney and fiancé, Andrew Minyard; grandson, Jeb Blake and wife, Kayle; granddaughter, Laurel Abney; great-grandson, Carter Blake; great-grandson, Raiden Blake, all of Lufkin; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Lucy Crumley of San Antonio; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Marla Crumley of San Marcos, California; sister-in-law, Frances Walker of Conroe; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Deidra; son, Bryan; and brother-in-law, Charles Walker.

Pallbearers are Wade Blake, Mark Abney, Walker Blake, Jeb Blake, and Andrew Minyard.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Lufkin, 106 E. Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or the charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.