Marie Girly Walker

Blessed with 102 years plus 9 months and a full life, Marie Girly Walker completed her earthly journey and entered eternal life on October 21, 2024. The oldest of seven children, Marie was born on January 14, 1922 in Vacherie, Louisiana to Oben and Rose Laurent Dumas. In the 1930s, she was allowed to relocate to New Orleans where she could continue her education under the care and supervision of her loving aunt and uncle, Felicia and Ernest James. She enrolled in Katie’s School of Beauty and became a licensed cosmetologist in 1944. She married her grade school sweetheart, Archie Q. Walker, in 1948 when he returned from serving in the Army during World War II. They started a family in 1950 when their son Ralph was born and then daughter Beverly 2 ½ years later. Marie was an active parishioner in St. Peter Claver Catholic Church where she became a Special Eucharistic Minister and served until the age of 92 years! For over 61 years she was a member of Our Lady of Victory Court #50 Knights of Peter Claver. She also was a member for some time in the League of St. Jude. She was active in her community as well. In the early 2000s, Paul Valteau made her a Deputy Sheriff with the Orleans Parish Civil Sheriff’s Office, an honor conferred upon people who further the agency’s goals of improving public safety, rehabilitating inmates or helping crime victims. She was well known in her neighborhood, Faubourg St. John, where she resided for over 68 years and served on the Advisory Board of the FSJ Neighborhood Association for many years. She was preceded in death by: Oben and Rose Laurent Dumas (parents); Archie Q. Walker (husband); Ralph J. Walker, Sr. (son with whom she shared a special bond); Ramona Carter Walker (daughter-in-law); Tori Walker (granddaughter); Leboria Riley and Bernice Dumas Burrell (sisters); Edwin and Louis Dumas (brothers); Joseph, Calvin, George Walker (brothers-in-law); Cecile Walker Adams, Yvonne Walker Goudia and Aline Walker Populus, Lois Oubre Walker, Melba Walker, (sisters-in-law); George Riley, Jr., Clint Walker (nephews). She leaves to speak her name and ensure she is missed but never forgotten: her devoted and beloved daughter, Beverly Walker Washington; son-in-law, Blain Washington; sisters, Nellie Rome and Marie Claretta (Pierre) Steib, grandchildren, Ralph Walker, Jr. (Dr. Christina Saulny), Dr. Blaine Washington II (Zerlinda), Damon Washington, Nadia Walker, 9 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; loving niece, Savona Joseph, God-daughter Jacqueline Mayo and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The Celebration of Life will be held at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1923 St. Philip Street, New Orleans, Louisiana on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Visitation beginning 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 8:45 a.m. Interment at St. Louis Cemetery #3, 3421 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana. Arrangements by Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences to the family.