Lillian Walker

“Our First Lady”

On the day you departed this earth, it rained. As I looked at the rain falling, my heart felt happy because to me it wasn’t rain, it was tears of joy from the people who saw the best in you and the happiness you brought with your warm embrace and smile.

Lillian Sanders Walker, born September 18, 1941, to the late JD and Carrie Sanders, peacefully departed this life on May 2, 2026, to be with her Lord and Savior.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Maranatha Church of Beaufort. Burial will follow at Carteret Memorial Gardens in Beaufort. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church. The service will be livestreamed to the funeral home website at noefs.net.

Lillian received her education through the St. Tammany Parish School System and attended Rosenwald High School in Covington, Louisiana. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sitting on her porch, sharing laughter, and listening to the many stories of those she met along her journey.

She was united in marriage to the late Carsell Walker Sr., with whom she shared more than 38 years of love and partnership until his passing in October 1998. Their union was blessed with seven children, all of whom she raised with unwavering devotion!!

In the late 1960s, Lillian moved to North Carolina, where she began her long career as a cook. She worked at A & Francis Restaurant in Salter Path for nearly 20 years. She later shared her culinary gifts at Hardee’s in Beaufort, DJ Shooters, Loughrey’s Landing, and McCurdy’s. At every establishment, she left a lasting mark through her exceptional cooking and warm spirit.

After retiring from the food service industry, she joined Community Actions as part of the Foster Care Grandparent Program. For more than 20 years, she was deeply loved by both the staff and the children she served.

Lillian sought a church home where she felt welcomed and embraced. She found that home at Great Joy Worship Center, where she faithfully served for 16 years. She was honored with the title “Mother of the Church,” a role she cherished deeply. Whether attending online or in person, she prided herself on being prompt, prepared, and ready to serve. She often volunteered to read scriptures and was adored by her Christian family.

Lillian is preceded in death by her husband, Carsell Walker Sr.; two sons, James Curtis and Anthony Ray Jones; grandson Antwan Maurice Walker; sisters Mary Francis Smith, Rosemary Cole, and Ruth Mays; and brothers Early James, John, and Calvin Jones.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Her sons Donald Ray (Judy) Jones of Mandeville, LA; SFC (R) Christopher (Clara) Walker of Elgin, SC; Scott (Heather) Walker of Beaufort, NC; Colonel Carsell (Charlene) Walker Jr. of Williamsburg, VA; her only daughter Shelia Marie Walker of Beaufort, NC; daughter-in-law Taronda Jones of Dallas, Texas; her brother JD (Erma Jo) Jones of Santa Maria, CA; her sister Sarah Lowe of Slidell, LA; brothers-in-law Louis (Martha) and Eric (Sandra) Patterson of Covington, LA; sister-in-law Emma Addison of Kentwood, LA; 24 grandchildren, 35 greatgrandchildren, four greatgreatgrandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and beloved church family and friends.

Her legacy of love, strength, and kindness will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know her.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.