Evelyn Ruth Henderson was welcomed into the world by Fred and Martharee Henderson on August 10, 1939 in Centerville, TX. Being born in the era where the U.S. harvested racial discrimination and inequality- the Texas Department of Health vividly outlines on Evelyn’s birth certificate her color of race as “Negro.” Not having the option to be hospitalized, Martha birthed Evelyn with the assistance of Leon County’s dependable midwife for women of color, Mrs. Josielene Davis. Evelyn was the middle daughter of five girls, along with five brothers. With the occupation of Fred and Martha being sharecroppers of cotton, raising ten children was beneficial to sustain their livelihood.

Having received only a third-grade education, Fred was determined to raise his children in an environment where they would not adopt a mindset that would make them feel stagnated or limited solely based on the color of their skin. Evelyn’s parents understood that education was the main catalyst which could change the trajectory and future for their children, even though they worked in the cotton fields. At a very young age, Evelyn developed a strong work ethic, a reverence for God, respect for family, and a keen sense of resilience and wit being around all her siblings. She attended elementary school in Centerville, TX. But with a population of less than 900 people in the 1940’s, the Henderson’s moved from Centerville to seek more opportunities, ultimately relocating to Corsicana, TX- where Evelyn completed Corsicana Colored Junior High School in 1954. Evelyn understood the importance of school, but her self-image was beginning to be influenced by images she saw on the luxury of a television that her parents were able to buy for the home. Her sights were set on Hollywood, CA! Evelyn attended Jackson High School, the first school in Texas that was constructed by brick for students of color, and joined several clubs including: Pep Squad (Flag Girl), Commercial (a typing class), Choral, Tri-Hi-Y (later known as YMCA), and N.H.A. (New Homemakers of America, focused on Home Economics). Evelyn continued to hone her skills with the vision of moving away from Corsicana. She often shared the story of how she looked at all the cars driving by as she picked cotton in the fields, knowing she was destined to achieve something greater in life. In 1958, Evelyn graduated from Jackson High School. After graduating, her eldest sibling- Iretha Bradford arranged for Evelyn to travel to California by Greyhound, with the goal of providing her with more opportunities in life. Evelyn knew this was her destiny; a chance to move to Los Angeles so she could pursue stardom. God had a different plan in mind for Evelyn!

In the Summer of 1958, Iretha introduced Evelyn to her best friend’s son- Robert Johnson. It is vividly recalled that when Robert met Evelyn for the first time, it was “love at first sight!” However, Evelyn did not share the same sentiment. Determined to win her affections, Robert diligently pursued Evelyn by becoming a dapper dresser, writing her beautiful letters, taking her dancing (her favorite outlet), and even purchasing a convertible automobile (that he did not even know how to drive)! Presenting himself as a gentleman, in addition to winning the affection of Evelyn’s parents, Robert and Evelyn Johnson were wed on January 23, 1960. In the preceding months, they had to file an affidavit to correct their marriage certificate with the last name to “Walker” due to Robert’s biological father’s last name.

Over the next 22 years, Evelyn’s upbringing as a sharecropper’s daughter proved to be the perfect foundation for the life of being a US Air Force military wife, starting in October 1960. The loving couple were stationed in California for the first 5 years. Being a new mom with two children by 1966, Evelyn experienced a life-changing encounter with God that fueled her passion for spreading the love of Jesus Christ for the remainder of her life. Their next assignment was in Ankara, Turkey. Growing weary from the demands of being a military wife, Evelyn shared her testimony countless times of how she always had a reverence for God, but longed to know if the Spirit of God was real. One day, she put her two little ones down for a nap, while Robert was gone on duty. She kneeled on the floor of their tiny trailer, and prayed, “God- if you are real, show yourself.” Evelyn said she felt like what Moses must have experienced when God appeared to him in Exodus 33: 18-23. She felt the presence of God so strong, she thought the roof of her trailer was completely ripped off from the power of God’s presence she felt, as she kneeled on the floor trembling in His presence! At that moment, she accepted Jesus to become her personal Lord and Savior. From that moment- Evelyn knew her life would never be the same. Over the next 16 years, the Walker family were stationed throughout various Air Force bases, including California (once again), Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and ultimately the last 4 years of Robert’s active-duty career in West Germany (at the time)- retiring in June 1982.

Evelyn’s hunger to serve God became a lifestyle. Evelyn devoted countless hours to serving the military community and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they were stationed, under the leadership of the Chaplain. Evelyn also dedicated herself to being a life-long learner. She privately shared with her family how she felt as a young girl growing up in TX, she was “passed” through school because she had a “pretty face.” Determined to be an example to her three children, Evelyn was able to finally complete her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern New Mexico University in 1977. She was passionate about reaching young minds, and devoted her next 4 years to Hahn (Germany), Muir and Pasadena High Schools in CA as a substitute teacher. Evelyn’s determination for reaching teens continued to flourish after she retired from teaching. Starting in 1984, she enriched the lives of hundreds of at-risk teen boys as an Overnight Youth Specialist at Sycamores in Altadena, CA where she fearlessly mentored and provided hope to the young men and staff that worked alongside with her. Over the next 6 years, little did Evelyn know this position served as a foundation for her next assignments God had in store for her! The Walker family became active members of Maranatha Community Church in Inglewood, CA. From there, they branched out to Covenant Christian Center in Los Angeles as pillars to help establish this ministry. Within the next 3 years, Evelyn was ordained to become the Pastor of this church until its operations ceased. By the mid 1990’s, Evelyn and Robert were then led to serve as Elders at Jubilee Christian Faith Center in Pasadena until 2007. Evelyn’s dedication to God also led her to be a Prayer Counselor with Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) for approximately 28 years until the founding headquarter locations of Tustin and Costa Mesa, CA were permanently relocated to Texas.

From 2007 until her transition to be with her Heavenly Father, Evelyn served as a committed Elder under the leadership of Pastor Vester Pittman of Sure Foundation Christian Fellowship in Pasadena, CA. Evelyn often articulated how much she highly esteemed the anointing of God from the teaching she received under the instruction of Pastor Pittman, and how to apply the Word of God to her life on a daily basis, while outreaching to others.

Again, Evelyn remained a life-long learner that established the legacy of having unwavering faith that remained unapologetic about spreading the Word of God. She was bold about her walk with Jesus Christ. Her last Earthly breath was taken on November 28, 2023. Evelyn is survived by her children: Rochelle, Robert, and Kimberly; her daughter-in-law: Michelle; her beloved grandchildren: Jalen and Sienna; five siblings: Iretha, Freddie, Laura, Gwendolyn, Randall, numerous nieces, nephews and a few cousins. Evelyn was predeceased by her loving husband, Dr. Robert Walker in 2021. They were married for 61 years.

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