Helen Darlene Walker

Helen Darlene (Pennington) Walker, 86, formerly of Rawlings, MD, died Thursday, July 25, 2024 in Keyser, WV.
Born on October 11, 1937 in Scherr, WV, she was a daughter of the late Orlie Maurice and Viola Catherine (Ritchie) Pennington. She also was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wesley Walker on February 10, 2015; her brother, Orlie Maurice Pennington, Jr. and a brother-in-law, Rev. John Earl Walker.
Darlene was a 1954 graduate of Petersburg High School where she was drum majorette of the marching band, newspaper editor and Miss Petersburg of 1953. After graduation, Darlene's fiance enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Chateauroux A.F.B. in France. Bob and Darlene were married on December 27, 1954 and, by the end of the year, a brave 17 year old Darlene boarded a plane to France and began her 20 year career as a service wife. Over those years, the couple and their children transferred to Holloman A.F.B. in New Mexico, McCord A.F.B. in Washington and McGuire A.F.B. in New Jersey. She credited their travels for a wealth of opportunities and knowledge.
Darlene was also an avid reader, and encouraged a love of books with her children. She volunteered, raised funds and organized parent groups for every activity that they enjoyed.
Darlene was a member of the Busy Bees Club of the Extension Homemakers and served as reporter for the local, county and state organizations, recording activities and history and earning awards for her work. She attended state conferences and taught courses to other homemakers and 4-H clubs. In 2018, she was named Mineral County Belle, representing the county in the West Virginia State Folk Festival.
Creativity and an appreciation of art led her to watercolor painting and needlework. In her later years, she crocheted over a thousand caps and donated them to organizations for breast cancer patients, new mother support, needy children, classrooms of students and members of her church, the Danville Community Baptist Church in Rawlings. Presents for family and friends were often bags of her handiwork to donate to her favorite charities.
Surviving is her daughter, Denise Valerio and husband Gerard of Greensburg, PA and their children, Sarah and Nicholas and his wife Vanessa; her son, Derrik Walker and wife Lillie of Rawlings and their children, Kenneth Cook and wife Teresa and Erin Coffman and husband Jacob; great grandchildren, Hallie Cook, Jenna and Emma Coffman and Asher Valerio and great-great grandchildren, Avalyne and Oden Thompson. Also surviving are her sisters, Carol Hanlin of Cresaptown, MD and Janet Vance of Moorefield, WV; her brothers, Wayne Nelson and wife Mary of Meadow View, VA and William Pennington and wife Juanita of Scherr. Additionally, she leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Ruth Walker of Rawlings and Mary Etta Pennington of Laureldale; a nephew, Clint Walker, two nieces, Lori Walker Evans and Lisa Walker Harris who provided late night support whenever needed, even at her death and her best friend and soul-mate, Judy Kimble.
Friends will be received at the Danville Community Baptist Church, Rawlings, on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be conducted immediately following the visitation at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Chris Talton officiating.
The Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, Keyser, WV, is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences and personal reflections to the family may be left after Darlene's obituary at smithfiuneralhomes.net.