Marilyn C. Walker

Marilyn C. Walker was a pillar in the Christian community of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. To know her was to love her. Born and raised in Harrisburg to Jefferson H. McCook and J. Clarita (Robinson) McCook, she attended and matriculated through the Harrisburg public schools. She is survived by siblings, Jefferson (Jay-boy) McCook, Steven (Stevie) McCook, Cecelia (CeCe) Walker, and preceded in death by siblings Evelyn McCook and Diana Hunter. After high school, she married her sweetheart Reginald B. Walker and was proud to start her own family. She was a devoted housewife who loved being a mother, not only to her biological children, but a host of other relatives and family friends, earning her the moniker “Mommy Merle".

Mommy Merle was a devout Christian who loved the Lord more than she loved herself. Her main hobbies were shopping and talking on the telephone. Her husband was known to have said “When you die, they need to bury you with that phone up to your ear." The reason she loved to be on the phone so much is because that was the most convenient way for her to “witness" to others! You could talk to her about anything, knowing that your conversation was confidential and that you will receive positive, influential advice. Marilyn was a long-time employee of the Neighborhood Center in Harrisburg. This was the most befitting job for her because as much as she liked to witness to adults, her passion was raising up the next generations to be strong, self-sufficient warriors (for the Lord of course). Educating, teaching and nurturing were inherent characteristics of Marilyn. One of our fondest memories that define Mommy Merle is being in Philadelphia (Center City) shopping on a cold winter day. Upon our departure from the city, she abruptly said “Stop, pull over!" She jumped out of the car before anyone could even say, “What’s going on?” She then grabbed a blanket out of the trunk and proceeded to cover a man that was laying on the freezing sidewalk. She was a true and living angel.

     After the Neighborhood Center, Marilyn continued her legacy as a nurturer by becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant at Ecumenical Retirement Community. There, she used her God given gifts of love, care, and kindness to nurture seniors. She was as devoted to her career as she was to her family, never wanting to miss work or let anyone down. She was the most spiritual person that many of us have ever known; she always found the good in someone. Mommy Merle's joy came from helping people in need and seeing others meet their heart's desires.

     Marilyn is now with her husband, Reginald B. Walker and leaves behind three children; Reginald M. Walker (Reg-Roe), Dr. Darius M. Walker (D-Boy), and Tykia M. Walker (Teka), and daughter in-law, Amy.  Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren Larry Brown, Jr., Grae Pierce, Kherrington and Toussaint Walker and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends that were also just as much her children as those she birthed.

 Mommy Merle you will always be loved and never forgotten.