Lorraine J. Walker

Lorraine Juanita Walker was born December 20, 1946 to the late Frank Odoms (father) and Evelyn Alice Christophe (mother). It was cold, and a severe winter snow storm prevented her parents from reaching the hospital in time. However, Lorraine was unstoppable. And so she came into the world with the help of an aunt who was a midwife. Her birth took place in the family home known as 66 Summit Ave, in Jersey City, New Jersey. In this residence, more of her relatives were born in years to come.

Lorraine was a cheerful baby and even though at times she suffered from asthma, it never disabled her or held her back. She grew into a handy go lucky little girl who loved to go with her parents and her little sister Alma on outdoor expeditions to Bear Mountain Park in New York. She especially enjoyed going fishing with her father, even though she hated putting bait on the hook. Frequently, in a fit of sweet naughtiness, she would just throw the bait into the water. This would anger her father while making her mother laugh.

Once Lorraine was of age, she began attending Elementary School #22 in Jersey City (now known as Dr. Rev. Ercel F. Webb School). As young as she was, she already enjoyed dressing up. She also loved to go to church on Sundays with the Family. At the suggestion of her parents she joined Monumental Baptist Church of Jersey City where she became an active member singing in the various chapel choirs and serving on the Helping Hands Circle. She also volunteered and served in other groups within the church. She remained a respected member of the church until her golden years.

Lorraine attended Lincoln High School where she met Clifford Walker Sr. They became sweethearts and he remained the love of her life. It was not surprising that the happy couple continued their courtship into young adulthood lasting long after they graduated from high school in 1964.

After high school Lorraine took a job in Newark, NJ at Prudential Insurance Company, where she worked as an administrative assistant for several years. Lorraine also kept her eye for fashion and loved staying in style. She would always be dressed appropriately for every occasion.

In 1967 Clifford and Lorraine were ready to start a family. It was no surprise that Clifford asked Lorraine, his high school sweetheart, to marry him. She accepted and they were wed in May of 1968. Out of this union their first son Clifford Jr. was born. Three years later their second son Mark joined the happy family. Clifford and Lorraine bought their first home at the age of 27. At that time Lorraine went to work in the school system of All Saints Catholic School. She remained there for 4 years as a teaching assistant until the commute from her home to work became too much of an issue. When her husband Clifford graduated from college it was her tum. She attended Jersey City State College where she pursued a degree in liberal arts.

A few years after she graduated from college, the family relocated to Louisiana for several years where Lorraine took a job at the Jefferson Parish School system as an administrative assistant. They remained in the New Orleans's area for 5 years until they moved back to New Jersey. Back on familiar grounds, Lorraine returned to working in the Newark public school system as a teacher's assistant. However, after a couple of years Lorraine switched once again to be an administrative assistant. In total, she devoted 22 years to the Newark Public School System.

During her retirement Lorraine and Clifford loved to travel. They mainly visited friends and relatives. They also enjoyed going on cruises.

In May 2023 Lorraine lost the love of her life, her husband of 56 years, Clifford Walker. She was heartbroken and was never the same. With her health starting to fail, and fighting depression, she became ill. On December 29, 2025, Lorraine was reunited with her husband. We are grateful that she passed away peacefully at home and without pain. Lorraine leaves behind her two loving sons, Clifford Jr. and Mark, Mark's fiancé, Romunda Brooks, her sister, Alma Robinson, her brother-in-law, Bernard Sr., her brothers-in-law, Ernest and Richard and Richard's wife, Laverne, a host of loving aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, god children, and extended family and a multitude of friends.