Savannah Jeanne Walker

1996 - 2017

Walker, Savannah Jeanne,

20, was taken far too soon from us in the early morning on Sunday, March 19th; a bystander to a senseless act of violence.

Savannah was born on June 28, 1996, in Arizona, and was brought home to Louisville to be raised by her parents, Dean and Deborah, and her older brother Nathaniel. From her time as a precocious child to her adolescence as a multi-sport athlete and collegiate career as a debater and activist, Savannah lit up every room into which she walked. She was a beacon of happiness, acceptance and true friendship in the life of anyone who had the good fortune to know her.

The list of Savannah's accomplishments is significant, but she would not have been the one to share them with you. Her time at Norton Elementary and Noe Middle School was spent cheerleading, playing soccer, field hockey, basketball, and any sport that was offered at the YMCA and she was very involved in a myriad of school activities and events. She performed in talent shows, the summer Shakespeare theatre and was often turned to as a class leader and voice for other students. At Noe Middle School, she played field hockey and started the lacrosse team. Her field hockey teams were always among the best in the state and the lacrosse team she started in 7th grade was a state runner up in its first year and was the undefeated state champion in 8th grade.

Savannah formed many friendships at Ballard High School where she played lacrosse, managed the Lady Bruins basketball team, and never missed a chance to lead cheers at Ballard basketball and football games. As a freshman, her JV team won the Braveheart Tournment with Savannah scoring the deciding goal in the championship game. As a sophomore, she had the unique distinction of attending Ballard while playing lacrosse at Eastern High School where her Dad coached. That year she was nominated for All State honors and was a vital part of Eastern's Division II State Championship team. She returned to Ballard the following year and set a scoring percentage record that will be very difficult to break. Although she was not a starter and played only an average of 16 minutes per game, she was tied for the team lead in goals scored that season and had a remarkable shooting percentage of 89%, scoring 16 goals in 18 attempts. In this same year, she became the youngest certified women's lacrosse umpire in Kentucky and began to umpire middle school games.

Savannah was invited to matriculate at the University of Louisville as a Porter Scholar, and immediately became involved with campus organizations that focused on equality and fairness. Recruited from a communications class to become a member of U of L's Malcolm X Debate Team, she found another true passion. Although new to debate, Savannah and her teammate Chinnel won several tournaments and received individual speaker awards from the judges. Debate rejuvenated Savannah's academic pursuits and her campus social activism. Classes with professors Kaila Adia Story and Rickie Jones raised her academic expectations and she was on track for a double major in Communications and Sports Administration and a minor in Pan-African Studies. Savannah founded the U of L Women's Club Lacrosse team and served as its president for two years as she continued to officiate high school lacrosse.

Over the last two years, Savannah found her life's passion and faced her life's biggest challenge. As a junior at the University of Louisville, she became a fierce advocate and voice for equality and access, following in the footsteps of her parents and her mentors. She also cared for her mother for a year as Deborah valiantly battled pancreatic cancer, and carried the family on her shoulders as they grieved Deborah when she passed away on February 18th of this year.

Savannah was preceded in death by her mother, Dr. Deborah Tamara Walker, by one month. She is survived by her father, Dean, her brother, Nathaniel, her paternal grandparents, Anna Walker and Leroy Walker (Elaine), her aunts and uncles Lori Amedore (Bruno), Norman Walker (Lynn), Keith Walker (Anne) and Leanna Mayberry (Mark). She had a great and talented group of loving cousins and so, so many fantastic friends.

After the death of her mother, Savannah worked passionately to start the Deborah Walker Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will continue now in honor of both mother and daughter. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that you help us continue the fund that Savannah started one very short month ago. The fund will provide financial assistance for teachers who are seeking advanced training and be administered by The Collaborative for Teaching and Learning. The fund can be found at gofundme./deborah-walkers-scholarship-fund.

A Candlelight Vigil was held on the U of L campus on Wednesday, the 22nd near the Thinker Statue and Grawemeyer Hall, wtih direction to adjacent parking. Visitation and viewing will be at St. Stephen Church, 1018 S. 15th St., on Friday, the 24th from 4- 6:15 p.m. with the Celebration of Life Service starting at 6:30.