Claudia Jean Walker

Claudia Jean Walker passed peacefully at her residence May 20, 2023 at 84 years of age. She was born January 13, 1939 in Melrose Park, Illinois, the second daughter to Arthur Boyd and Louise (Maul) White. Growing up in Webster Groves, Missouri she married Kenneth Walker in 1989. She worked as a supervisor for Reliable Life Insurance Company as a computer technician and was a part of their investigative team for insurance claims, as well as a hand writing analyst. She also worked in the kitchen at her children’s school. Claudia was a lifelong Lutheran, and was an active member of her church, and sang in the choir. She and Kenneth moved to Gamaliel, Arkansas in 2002 for the remainder of their lives where they were blessed to have wonderful neighbors and friends. Claudia enjoyed her home and had a special talent with flowers. The couple fished and watched NASCAR racing. Earlier in life, they followed the NASCAR circuit attending as many races in person as possible. She was privileged to have the opportunity to drive a few of those cars too. Claudia was that ‘special someone’ in each person's life. Always warm and affectionate, she welcomed her children’s friends into their home and always had enough to eat. Many have called to remind us she was their second mom. Claudia loved animals as well, having many pets throughout her life. She kept treats in her cabinets for her neighbors' dogs, who visited her regularly with a quick bark to let her know they were there because her front door was always open. Claudia was a good daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She adored her family and will be greatly missed. In January of this year, she was brought into the Catholic Church and received her official papers on her birthday. She was very proud that she could claim her Catholicism, and share in the body and blood of Christ with her children.

Claudia leaves behind her daughter, Lynda Woodruff; son, Dennis (Garnet) Roam, and Kenny Walker; sister, Adrienne Sarmiento; grandchildren, Joe, Dean, Don, Lynn, Casey, TJ and Elizabeth; and great-grandchildren, Carter, RJ, Bryson, Elijah, Lucas, Hudson, and Weston.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; husbands, Don Roam and Kenneth Walker; son, Donald Roam; and sister, Beverly Lightsey.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of the Ozarks for their kind, gracious, compassionate, loving care for Claudia during this last chapter of her life. The staff is amazing and we are forever grateful to you. We would also like to mention Marvin, a true friend to Claudia. Thank you for all the time, talks, laughter, and lunches that you brought to her. She thought the world of you and we appreciate you being there for her. A special thank you to the neighbors and friends that called consistently and brought many gifts of food, well wishes and love into our home during this time. You are all wonderful people. God bless you.

A Funeral Mass for Claudia will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, with Father Norbert Rappold officiating and Renee Cox, another precious presence in her life, as the organist and Cantor. Burial will follow in the Maynard Bend Cemetery, Gamaliel, AR, with Dennis Roam, Dennis TJ Roam, David Roam, Don Dodson, Robert Tolie, and Marvin McGuffey as pallbearers and Claudia's great-grandsons as honorary pallbearers. Following burial, there will be a luncheon at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks or John 3:16 Ministries, Charlotte, AR.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com .

EARTH HAS NO SORROW THAT HEAVEN CANT HEAL