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March 29, 2024

Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker

Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker

Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker passed away peacefully, at home in Gastonia, on January 25, 2018, at 9:30 p.m. She was surrounded by the love and presence of family and friends.

This Gentle Soul, Mary, was born to Willie Louetta (Hefner) and Roy Roosevelt Carrigan on September 29, 1932 in Newton.

She married Perry Walker on December 24, 1947, and together they had five children. Following the divorce and death of Perry Walker, she married Jessie Paul Walker (1969) and they shared their combined family of eight until January 17, 2008, when he passed away.

In her lifetime, she had many great accomplishments. She raised her children, taught Sunday School, pioneered the first professional commercial sewing program for women in Bristol, Tennessee, was manager of Cozy Dozy in Bristol, Tennessee, was a manager at Beauty Maid Mills in Statesville, and at Taylor Togs in Taylorsville, earned a degree in Nursing, and was a certified EMT.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Roy Carrigan; husband, Jessie Paul Walker; son, Larry Dale Walker; daughter, Patricia Joann Walker; an un-named stillborn child; two step-children, Billy and Albert Walker; a brother, Roy; and a sister, Myrtle.

Mary left to grieve her passing and rejoice in her life a daughter, Rev. Susan Jean Walker Leipsner of Gastonia; two sons, Perry Allen Walker of Love Valley, and Roger O’Neil Walker of Hiddenite; a step-daughter, Judy Southers; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Walker; her grandchildren, Rose Mary, Sarah, Jennifer, April, Rita, Christopher, Jonathan, Angela, Amy, and Curtis; many great and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rev. Andrew Carrigan of South Carolina and his wife and family, and Jerry Wayne Carrigan of Statesville and his wife and family; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mary also had a close friend whom she adored, Lucille Mash.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 28 at Chapman Funeral Home. Please join the family to celebrate Mary’s Life Journey on Monday, January 29, at 2:00 p.m., at South River United Methodist Church, 2540 Cheatham Ford Road, Hiddenite. Rev. Doug Hochmuth and Rev. Steve Phillippi will officiate. Her earthly remains will lie in state from 1:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral.

Flowers may be sent to Chapman Funeral Home and to Mary’s home at 210 West Fifth Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052. Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to your favorite charity or to Gaston Hospice, of Dallas, who made it possible for Mary to spend her last few days at home surrounded by loving family, friends, and pets.

Condolences may be e-mailed to the Walker Family by visiting our website at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com.

Chapman Funeral Home is assisting the family of Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker.

1 Comment

  1. Gary Piper on February 25, 2018 at 9:54 am

    My deepest and sincerest condolences to the Walker Family. God Bless you. God’s love will sustain you.Amen

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