Melissa Walker

Melissa Risenstar Walker was born on October 5, 1954 in Utica, NY and returned to Allah while surrounded by family on July 10, 2024. May Allah accept her good deeds and into Janat ul Firdous. Those that knew her will remember Melissa's ability to tell funny stories and her love for spending time with family and cooking. Receiving her education in CT, Melissa had various jobs and enjoyed homemaking. She is predeceased by her parents Harold and Stella Bruce-Suwarrow, husband James Walker and son Harold Suwarrow Walker. Left to cherish her memory, Melissa is survived by her daughter Tasha Williams (Gerald) of East Haven, CT, son Dearell Walker of Stratford, CT, grandchildren Denonte' McKinney of Hyattsville, MD, Harold McKinney of Orlando, FL, Taj Gerald Williams of East Haven, CT, sister Dawn Childs Stovall-Crooms of White Plains, NY and brother Mahwee Suwarrow of Utica, NY.
Melissa was extremely proud of her grandchildren and that was well known to everyone that knew her. In addition to leaving behind a host of nieces and nephews, she was also a special God-sister to Sam, Gayna, Theresa, Brenda, Della, Pamela (predeceased), Tina (predeceased) and sister-in-law to Ruthie, Polly, Fuzzy, Bengi (predeceased) and Saddie (predeceased). Blessed into the Peter's family, Melissa was raised by Harold and Martha Peters (both predeceased) and was a beloved sister to Tina (predeceased), Winnie, Zakiyyah, Stanley (predeceased), Elaine, Edith, Daniel and Tanya.
Melissa's legacy also includes being a proud descendant of the Schaghticoke Native American Tribe in Kent, CT. Throughout her life, she lived in Utica, NY, Springfield, MA, and New Haven, CT making friends and family along her journeys. Melissa loved to travel and would spontaneously take day trips to new states. These adventurous qualities will be remembered most along with her signature walk that could be spotted from far away. "Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him we do return".