Evelyn G. Walker

Mrs. Evelyn Givings Walker, 86, formerly of 14803 Lew Jones Road, Dewitt, currently a resident of 2128 South Whitehill Drive, Petersburg, entered eternal rest on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, in the comfort of her home.

She was born on Dec. 23, 1923, to the late Jasper E. Givings and Bessie L. Givings. Ms. Walker accepted Christ into her life at an early age and remained faithful to Him for years to come. Affectionately known as "Aunt Evelyn" to all she met, Ms. Walker enjoyed cooking and thoroughly enjoyed attending church, especially Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Dewitt under the leadership of the late Pastor Robert Jones Jr. Prior to the declining of her health, she would spend much time daily reading and studying the Bible.

She completed her education in Yonkers, N.Y., and retired from Arch Way School for special needs children in Camden County, N.J.

She was preceded in death by: one son, Henry Travis; five sisters; and two brothers.

Left to cherish her wonderful memories are: her sister, Isadora Batts of Petersburg; her "adopted daughter," Sharon Johnson, whom she resided with for an extended time; a loving and devoted nephew, Roger Batts, who ensured that she had the best of everything; five grandchildren, Kevin Travis of Schenectady, N.Y., Debra Allen of Bronx, N.Y., Devin Travis and Senora Sellers, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and Alan Travis of Stanford, Conn.; two nieces, Barbara N. Todd of San Diego, Calif., Margaret Andrews of Petersburg and Jerry Todd of Portland, Ore.; one sister-in-law, Mary Virginia Frazier of Philadelphia, Pa.; one brother-in-law, Albest Todd of San Diego, Calif., and a host of cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. A special thanks to Florence Goodwyn, Jennie Parham, Shirley Taylor and the staff of Adult Healthcare Solutions, Petersburg, the staff of Odyssey Hospice, Colonial Heights, Dr. Manu Gadani, Hopewell, and Dr. Charles Ashby, Dinwiddie.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Dewitt. The Rev. Marilyn Elder, interim pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery, Petersburg. In lieu of a wake, the family will receive friends at the home of her nephew, Roger Batts, and sister, Isadora Batts, at 1527 Hanover St., Petersburg, on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, from 7-8 p.m. and will also assemble there at noon on the day of the service. The family can be contacted at (804) 862-2339.

Arrangements entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. Condolences may be sent to www.blandenterprisesinc.com.