Obituary of Helene M. Walker

Beloved Mother and Grandmother, Helene M. Walker of Hopkins, SC passed away at home on December 12, 2023, at the age of 77.

She was born in the town of Bingen, Germany in 1946 to Maria M. Dietz and her father who was an American soldier. Because being the child of an American was not popular during Post War Germany, she had a difficult time and was often bullied or mistreated by non-family members. The circumstances of her childhood impacted her life greatly and influenced her love and compassion for all children.

After immigrating to the United States in 1964, she met the love of her life, CSM Robert D. Walker Sr. in Columbus, Georgia in 1967, while he was stationed at Ft. Benning. They married a year later and remained married until Robert’s passing in March of 2002. As an Army wife, she did everything she could to support her husband’s long military career and the soldiers and their families under his command.  Because of her sacrifices and hard work, she was awarded the honor of Army Wife of the Year.

Her sacrifices were not only for her husband but for her children. Judy Garcia (Emmett) of Columbia, Robert D. Walker, Jr (Amy) of Hopkins and Christine Herrera of Elgin. Her children meant the world to her, and she showed them in many ways, but especially with her love of cooking and crocheting. Her favorite role was being grandma to her 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and spent many hours rocking and singing to them in her rocking chair. She was known to spoil them rotten and grandma’s house was always the fun place to be.

Her love of children did not end with her biological children. Mrs. Walker was a licensed foster parent and opened her home and arms to more than 30 foster children from ages 3 days to 17 years old. Most were therapeutic placements for children who were physically or emotionally abused of whom she could see a little bit of her young self in them. She would say regardless of race or circumstance, children need to be shown love and made to feel that they matter. In addition to fostering children, she worked at a retirement home with the elderly, owned a daycare center and worked for the SC Department of Revenue, but her favorite job by far was as a Teacher’s Aide at Satchel Ford Elementary School where she worked to meet the needs of disabled children. Civically, Mrs. Walker was a past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 641 until her health declined.

She was an angel on earth who always had a smile, a hug, and an extra plate of food for friends and strangers alike and she will be truly missed by everyone that knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at the Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 3:00 PM with a visitation beginning at 2:00 PM. If sending flowers, please have delivered to Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.