Simply CremationMaudest Walker
Maudest Walker of Surprise, AZ passed away January 31, 2019 in Sun City West, AZ. She was born January 21, 1943 to K.P. and Alberta Thomas in Annemanie, Alabama.
Maudest was an outstanding community member with a passion for education. She graduated Annemanie High School as the salutatorian of her class in 1960 and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. Maudest went on to work as a high school general education and social studies teacher for the Portland public school system in Oregon. She received her Master of Education in Manpower and Community College Counseling from Oregon State University in 1973, where she was inducted into the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. After graduation, Maudest worked as an administrator and professor in workforce training and community college counseling for Job Corps centers and the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, the latter culminating in supervising and training graduate students as well as co-writing training manuals in a masters counseling program. She was a member of the Philomathean Charity Club, American Personnel and Guidance Association, Association for Counselor Education and Oregon Teachers Association.
Maudest will be remembered as a beautiful, sweet, down-to-earth people person with a warm smile, infectious laugh and unique sense of humor. Although married to a federal administrative law judge and accomplished in her own right, she was never afraid to celebrate other people. Maudest often showered a person with praise and encouragement, making them feel like the most important one in the room. Many also came to her for a listening ear, sound advice and good ol’-fashioned prayer. A strong woman of faith, Maudest accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. The Church affectionately referred to her as “Missionary Walker,” “Mother Walker” and “The Confirmer” in ministry. Maudest was an evangelist, prophetess, teacher, missionary, church mother, Sunday school superintendent and Sunday school teacher. She also loved music. Maudest played the saxophone and piano. She occasionally played piano in church and sang in the choir. Moreover, Maudest sang and co-wrote songs with her daughter, coaching her at times. She was also an avid reader and one-time athlete during her field hockey days, but most knew her as an antique enthusiast turned entrepreneur who owned and operated stores with her husband and mall booths in Los Angeles, California for nearly 30 years, before retiring and settling into her dream home with her daughter in Surprise.
Maudest is survived by her daughters Maldest and Pepper Walker (Maltipoo), sisters Mildred Thomas and Elaine Phillips (John) and a host of relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mallory Walker, her parents K.P. and Alberta Thomas, two brothers Kossuth and Norbert Thomas, her sister Lucille Thomas-Austin and many beloved aunts and uncles.
Arrangements are under the direction of Simply Cremation in Surprise, AZ.
God has called another Angel to be in his kingdom. Swore high above us all and watch over us. It was truly a blessing to ever be in your presence.
Hi Auntie, I loved her spirit of love and happiness. She always had a smole and a willingness to help anyone. Great to read her life’s choices and paths which some of us didn’t know. See you later where the sun is golden and the sky is blue. Rest Well Auntie.
So sorry for Your loss your Mother was a very sweet person ,always very sweet and kind .She will surely be missed. I will let the church family know of her passing
So sorry to hear about your moms passing.praying for you I know how close you and her were. May God bless you and keep you. Sending hugs your way
My favorite auntie. Auntie walker is coming down to visit. We knew there would be gifts bestowed. Still remember maybe 8-9 years old receiving a beautiful necklace and pendent.
Loved to hear her talk about LA, to a little boy growing up in the country I wanted to see California.
So glad to see her in the later years as well. She always had that smile worth a million bucks. Always !
My deepest sympathies cousin.
My prayers are with and for you. Your mother was a lovely lady and will surely be missed.
My sweet friend, May God comfort and guide you daily and theough and theough. May the peace of love, understanding, and grace be your path and walkway. May God embrace and love on your mommy wih His complete annointing in heaven and always! Love you and your mom forever!
Please accept this late condolence of the passing of your mother.
Evangelist Shirley Lane
Oh, how I will miss my long time friend and prayer warrior. Your Mom had a big heart, was sweet and very kind to everyone. She loved praying for others and seeing the healing power of God manifest. She was truly an exceptional anointed Missionary on the battlefield for the Lord. Sbe was a blessing and a true Prophetess confirming God’s word wherever she went. Be encouraged and know absent from the body is present with the Lord. We will see her again. God will grant you peace, strength & comfort in Jesus name. Much love.
Sharing precious memories of one of my favorite cousins. I’ve loved and adored Maudest for many years and I know her spirit will live forever because she truly was a lovely person inside and out. The memories of Maudest are indelible in our hearts. The quality and quantities of days we spend on earth is how we choose to live our lives. The beauty of her life was well lived and now becomes a legacy that stays behind and warms our heart with every memory.
Remembering some of her accomplishments: Maudest was determined to receive a good education. After finishing high school in Annemania, Alabama she came to Vancouver, WA and lived with my family. She attended and graduated from Clark College while she resided with us. In order to further her education, she moved to Spokane, WA and enrolled in Gonzaga college completing a course in Social Work. She then moved to Portland, Oregon where she met her soulmate who was Attorney at Law. They were soon married and moved to Los Angeles, CA where they were blessed with their beautiful daughter during the same time her husband became a Judge. While in L.A. Maudest was on the faculty at U.C. L.A. With a good education, a lot of common sense and the help of God, she went on to open her own antique shop. Because she was so passionate about her work, her antique business quickly flourished and was very successful. After the passing of her husband, she purchased her dream house and moved with her daughter to Surprise, AZ.
She was able to move into a brand new community and with her persistence made sure the contractors fulfilled all of her specifications that she wanted for her dream home. This process took about 3 years, but she was finally satisfied that her dream house had became a reality. And I must say it is a very lovely home. Maudest was extremely happy there. She resided there with her lovely daughter until her passing. Oh yes, I will miss her♥️
Richard Boyd
Oh how I miss you aunty’ i will never forget how much you prayed for my family and me. Always been that loving kinda lady who do whatever you can to help. I remember when yall use to come down when I was a little girl’ i would hate for you to leave. I would ride to pick you up and drop you off and i remember that onetime my nose start to bleed because I didnt wanted yall to leave… i love you and aunty you were my favorite and i know that we will see each other again.. so rest well my love you have your wing’s…you know God very well and he well please with you…i love you and I promise I will look out for your daughter as much as I can so rest well aunty I love you baby.
Love ‘ keisha
This my favorite aunty Maudest’ my dad sister. I’m going to miss you and all of our memories I will cherish forever. How i always get you to pray over my home my life and my family. Aunty I remember when I was little I hate seeing you and Mauldest leaving me going back to L.A…. I cried so my nose stared to bleed just as yall about to get on the plane. I remember you telling me that you was going to send for me’ i was like no plane lol.. To me you will always be special and hold a special place in my heart I love you aunty’ you have your wing’s now if any body know God you sure do and i love that about you..rest well until we meet again’ love keisha
Hi Mama Walker,
I woke up thinking about you today. I am just a friend, and not a very good one at that. Though I was in your life for such a short time, you made an indelible impression upon mine. I hate knowing that I can’t ever hear your voice again this side of heaven. I wish we had had more time together. I wish we’d shared more meals and I got to hear more of your stories. I’m sorry for not taking more time to know you. I hope your final days were peaceful and full of love. You deserved nothing less. You made a difference in this world!