Jerry Lynn Walker, 1941-2023

Jerry Lynn Walker died peacefully in his home in Weinert, on Dec. 18, 2023. At 82, he is returning home to the loving embrace of his Lord in Heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Weinert. Burial will follow at the Weinert Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Haskell.

Jerry was born on May 3, 1941, to Morris “Jersey” and Velah Walker at their home in Paint Creek. He was the middle child of three and was preceded in death by his brother Morris and sister Carol. Today, he is survived and remembered by his wife of 64 years, Doris; children Jerry Don, Cindy, Deena and Barry; eight grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Jerry graduated high school from Weinert and, at 18, married his wife, Doris, in Vera. They made Weinert their home, where they will always be beloved members of the community. They spent every Sunday down at the First Baptist Church, where Jerry learned and led by faith as an active member of the congregation and the Men’s Group. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for many years, and it filled him with joy to see his community rejoice in the Lord’s word and goodness. He lived his life through the lens of his faith and was a kind, adoring and devoted husband to Doris. Whether you asked Jerry about his wife when he was 22, 52, or 82 – the way he spoke about Doris on any day was as giddy as ever – his eyes smiled, his face lit up, and it was like listening to him fall in love with her all over again. He loved her fiercely.

Jerry spent his life as a farmer, and he was a hard-working one. When he wasn’t out in the field, he was in town at the Weinert Gin, where he was Manager for nearly 25 years. He eventually retired, but he had a hard time staying away, so one of his favorite parts of his daily retired routine became hopping in his truck to drive down the road to the post office to pick up his mail and then down to visit the folks at the gin. He cared for all the people he worked with in the field and behind the desk, so farming was more than his career; it was community - one of Jerry’s strongest values.

At the farm is where Jerry took some of his favorite photos. Photography was one of his hobbies, and if one of his children or grandchildren caught him at just the right time, he would eagerly invite them into his office to showcase his latest nature photography. Jerry loved reading and watching Westerns and wrangling his family into a conversation about his favorites. He was also a big sports fan, rarely missing a game on TV, traveling with his wife to catch nearby college basketball games, and seeing as many of his grandchildren’s games as possible.

Jerry also played sports growing up, but the one award still on display in his home came from later in life when he won a community Super Bowl Sunday Chili Cook-Off… with a can of Wolf Brand Chilli. Cooking may not have been one of his top skills, but chili aside, he could make a mean Jimmy Dean Sausage Biscuit!

Jerry was a constant jokester, especially with his wife Doris. Their witty banter together flowed like an act they had crafted for years. Together, they made their family laugh. Together, they made each other laugh. He enjoyed the time he spent in the company of others. He accepted people for who they were and loved them kindly. He encouraged family, friends and strangers, and he was a man you could count on to be in your corner. Jerry died with a heart full of so much love. Every memory of his life will carry that love forward.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh. com.