Edward Mar Walker

The Rev. Edward Mar "Ed" Walker, 75, of Greenville departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Born June 8, 1935, in Rose Hill, he was the son of the late James D. and Sula Walker.
He attended school in Wilmington. After high school, he attended Holmes Bible College and completed advanced studies at the Universities of Georgia and Notre Dame.
Ed Walker was the consummate 'giver' and spent his life encouraging and developing people in Christian faith and the business world. He spent 38 years as a senior pastor leading congregations at Union Chapel in Holden's Beach, Oak Heights in Goldsboro, Long Branch and Emmanuel in Dunn and Unity and Grace in Greenville. In addition to his ministry, he spent 22 years as a Chamber of Commerce Executive, serving as President of the Dunn Area and Greenville-Pitt County Chambers of Commerce. In 'retirement,' he expressed his passion for developing leaders by conducting professional development seminars and building an award winning group sales team for Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Ed Walker invested his life in others.
He was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, a recipient of the North Carolina Governor's Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a former Board Member of the East Carolina Vocational Center and Pitt County Salvation Army and former District Chairman in the Occoneechee Council, BSA. He was a member of Oakmont Baptist Church.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Jane Brown Walker; sister, Martha Lee Blanton; and brothers, James D. Walker Jr. and Frank Walker.
Ed Walker was a revered father, devoted grandfather and proud great grandfather. He is survived by, daughter, Pam and husband, Gary Smith of Washington, N.C.; sons, Edward M. Walker Jr., and Gordon and wife, Eva Walker, all of Greenville; grandchildren, Holly Walker of Charlotte, Woody and Samantha Broome and Jessica Smith of Washington, N.C., Russell and LeAnn Walker Bagasala of Virginia Beach, Va., Alex Walker and Jaron Walker of Greenville; and great-grandson, Preston Broome of Washington, N.C.; brother-in-law, the Rev. Ralph and wife, Jeannie Brown, of Laurinburg; sisters-in-law, Annie Laura Stewart of Raleigh, Julia Sellers of Leland, and Pat Brown of Kernersville; along with many nieces and nephews; and, friend and long time business partner, Frances Faust.
A Celebration of the Reverend Walker's Life will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Oakmont Baptist Church, 1100 Red Banks Road, Greenville, with Dr. Greg Rogers and the Rev. Ralph Brown officiating. The family will receive friends after the Celebration and at other times at Reverend Walker's home. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Memorial Fund, Oakmont Baptist Church, 1100 Red Banks Road, Greenville, NC 27858. Reverend Walker's family would like to thank his many friends who have been so generous with their love and support for him.