Jolene McDonald Walker, age 86, passed peacefully into heaven on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina.
Jolene was born on October 12th, 1939, in Beech Creek, KY, to Jewell and Floella McDonald. She graduated from Greenville High School in May of 1958. On April 26th of that same year, she married the love of her life, James Milton Walker of Graham, KY, beginning a marriage that would span more than 62 years. As an Army wife, she and Milton built a life that took them all over the world. She was a good wife and mother.
Jolene loved her family. Those left to cherish her memory are children, Rita (Matt) Black of Rossville, TN; Dennis (Becky) Walker of Anderson, SC; and Barry (Nancy) Walker of Hagerstown, MD; grandchildren, Corrie (Ryan) Clark; Abby (Anuarth Bautista) Walker; Joshua (Morgan) Black; Alan (Morgan) Walker; Maria (Thomas) Cushman; and Daniel (Katy) Walker; great-grandchildren, Kevin Clark, Jordan Clark, Maddox Walker, Audrey Bautista, Felix Bautista, Valerie Bautista, Asher Black, Rayne Black, Sasha Walker, Kieran Walker, Lawson Walker, and Juniper Cushman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Gary McDonald; and sister, Jane Galyen.
Jolene was a member of North Anderson Baptist Church, where she served her God faithfully. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, March 21st, 2026. She will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Interment will be at 11:00 am, Friday, April 10, 2026. A funeral cortege will line up at Olive Baptist Church-Warrington Campus, 103 West Winthrop Ave., Pensacola, FL 32507 at 10:00 am.
Jolene’s was a life well lived. How blessed we are to have known and loved her. She will be greatly missed.
