Geneva JoAnn Walker

Geneva JoAnn Walker, age 83 of Biloxi, MS, passed away on May 27, 2022. 

 

JoAnn was the daughter of E.L. and Geneva Phillips, born on November 15, 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was raised in an Air Force family and met the love of her life, Shelley Walker, when he was stationed at same base as her father in Rome, New York.  Her family was then stationed in Japan. JoAnn returned to Shelley's home state of Texas to marry and start their family. They lived in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and spent the last three years with the Air Force in Japan where once again, JoAnn traveled and gained great appreciation of the beauty and culture of the country. The family returned to Mississippi and made their home in Gulfport.  

 

JoAnn loved reading, writing to friends, gardening, homemaking, needlework, bowling, fine pastry baking, and traveling extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States. She shared many wonderful memories of her of grandparent’s farm in Corner, Alabama. Her favorite destination being Hawaii, Destin, Gulf Shores, and Cumberland Island. She could walk miles collecting shells and watching her favorite birds, pelicans. While in Japan, she taught conversational English to many Japanese officers in training.  After retirement, she was active in her church and was active volunteering to alter clothes for wounded soldiers.

 

JoAnn and Shelley had two children, son, Shelley Phillip Walker, (deceased) and daughter, Sandra Walker Levi.  Sandra blessed them with two wonderful grandsons, Phillip (Jennifer) Noland and Ryan Noland. Her greatest joy came with the arrival of great granddaughter, Lorelei Noland.  She had six bonus grandchildren – Hannah, Laura, Noelle, Saylor, Amelda and Jamison, who all loved their GG Jo; son in law; Dempsey Levi, Honorary daughter, Sharon Hodge; sister, Patti (John) Jelinski; nephew, Michael Jelinski (deceased); niece, Susan (Ken) Longmire; grandniece, Kayla (Aaron) Wood; and grandnephew, Kenna Longmire; and great-grandnephew, Asa Wood.

 

She was very close to her husband’s large family and loved the many visits and good times with her nieces, Jeanette (Scootsie), Debbie, Judy, Nancy, Diane, Sue Ellen, Mary and Susie; and nephews, Jeff and Chris. And like family she had very close and long friendships with Jane Miller, Ann Field, Marilyn Nicholson, Norma Rose, Leilo Hanes, Linda Harris, and Frank Battaile.

 

JoAnn loved helping others, If you will please share a plant, flowers, or kindness to someone unable to do for themselves.

 

The family would like to extend a thank you to the amazing staff at Ocean Springs hospital and Hospice of Light in the gentle and loving care of JoAnn's last two weeks of life.

 

A private family service will be held at a future date at the Biloxi National Cemetery.  

 

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Ave is honored to serve the family of Geneva Walker.