Barbara Joyce Walker

Barbara Joyce Walker passed away at Park Place Manor Nursing Home in Belton, Texas on April 23, 2026 during the early morning while peacefully sleeping. Barbara had been in Park Place Manor Nursing since 2024 due to declining health requiring 24/7 care.

Barbara was born in Dallas, Texas to James Herbert Walker and Mary Catherine Funk on May 12, 1941. Barbara’s brother James Thomas Walker, Jr. was born in 1943.

Barbara’s young life included having a Southern Accent that family cousins (aunt Doris’s Bond children: Rebecca, Cindy and Jeannie) lovingly kidded her for. Mary, her mother, would always carry Barbara shopping and buy her the most beautiful dresses and clothes. Life was good.

Barbara graduated from Dallas Jefferson High School in 1959. Barbara attended the University of Texas Austin in 1960-1961. As a freshman she joined the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. It was during college at UT in 1960, that Barbara met the man who would become her husband, James Thomas Walker, son of Robert Lee Walker and Mary Imogene Baker Walker of Fort Stockton (not related to Barbara’s family).

Barbara and James were married on July 7, 1961 in Perkins Chapel on the SMU campus. Barbara’s grandfather, Thomas Vernie Walker retired Church of Christ minister, officiated for the ceremony.

After James graduated and obtained law license, the couple moved to Dallas for James to practice Law. Barbara dropped out of school. James joined the Law firm of Blakley and Walker, JH Walker being Barbara’s father.

Barbara became pregnant with their first child, Elizabeth Ann Walker, who was born on September 20, 1962. Barbara gave birth to a son, James Darby Walker, on June 5, 1967 in Dallas. Life was good in those first many years, but things declined between James and Barbara, and soon after James divorced Barbara on April 9, 1983.

Barbara’s mother, Mary, died on January 31, 1971. Barbara’s dad, JH Walker died in April 8, 1984.

Barbara had many tough years. In 1989, she lived in various cities in Texas (Temple, Plano and Belton), providing wonderful in-home care for families who needed help handling aging family member. She even became a live-in caregiver for some of those families. Some of her families included Lucibelle Cummins, Cecil and Maxine Allen and the parents of Gerald Drews. She made many life-long friends during these years.

When she turned 65, she was able to get an apartment under the Medicaid Social Security and reduced rent. In 2016, James, ex-husband, died and she received one-half of his Social Security. This moved her up to Medicare but increased her rental price. But she had enough income to manage.

In 2023, Barbara health declined. She was diagnosed with COPD thus requiring oxygen. On a final trip to hospital, her doctor would not release her unless she had 24/7 nursing care. Thus, this initiated the move to Park Place Manor Nursing Home in Belton, Texas. She has made many new friends in her new surroundings. She was an inspiration and great friend to all those around her. She will be missed at the nursing home.

Barbara did have a tough life, but her faith and sweet disposition made her a wonderful individual to love and enjoy being friends with. Barbara is a member of the Western Hills Church of Christ in Temple, Texas.

Barbara was preceded in death by parents: James H. Walker (1984) and Mary Catherine Funk Walker (1971), Ex-Husband James Thomas (2016) and Son: James Darby (2024). Barbara is survived by daughter: Elizabeth Ann Walker; two grandchildren: Lance and Luke and possible great-grandchildren.

We will miss Barbara’s smile and joyful laugh, but we know in whose care she is resting. ALL IS WELL!

A funeral service will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, at 10:30am at Western Hills Church of Christ in Temple Texas.

In lieu of flowers, her friends are asking for memorial gifts to be made to Western Hills Church of Christ.