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Obituary For Jeri Celeste "Jill" Walker
Miss Jeri Celeste "Jill" Walker, 62, of Columbus, GA passed Sunday, September 5, 2021 in Columbus, GA.
Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, September 11, 2021 in the C.T. Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Noble D. Williams, officiating, Min. Zelinda George, eulogist. Visitation will be Friday, September 10, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. EST.
Love: What better word to describe our Jeri Celeste Walker (more commonly known as “Jill”), who at all times genuinely demonstrated God’s love to everyone she met. Born June 2, 1959, to the union of the late Willie Walker and the late Maurine Menefee Walker, in Columbus Georgia, a place deep in the bible belt, but not always a place known for seeing God’s love. Nevertheless, it was precisely the place chosen by God for this special child to begin her life’s journey that would, from beginning to end, leave an indelible mark in the lives of her family and everyone she met.
Jill was the youngest of three girls born in this close-knit family. Her sister, Mauretta Jan Walker Berry pre-deceased her and her sister, Ruth Kathryn Walker Ford would later become her sole caregiver. By every account, life in this family home was changed forever by the addition of this special child, described as a “gift from heaven.” Jill became the center of attraction in the family, and they spoiled her and gave her the attention she so loved, needed and desired.
Jill loved everybody and always portrayed that love to everyone she met. With such gentleness in her personality, she would always win over and make friends, even with those who did not understand or accept her challenges. She never like discord; she always loved peace. This anointed woman of God was a vessel used by God to show forth His character, His nature and His personality, which is love.
Jill learned about the Lord and church activities early in life from growth with her family in the Baptist church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at age 12 under the auspices of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama. She attended faithfully and served in capacity as an usher. Later, she attended Sunday School classes designed especially for “gifted” children such as herself at Hilton Terrace Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia, and was affiliated with that church for several years.
Church and church activities were the norm in Jill’s life. She attended church functions regularly with her mother and her mother’s twin sister (Mrs. Jeroline Hill), including the East Alabama Singing Conventions and the Alabama Baptist Conventions. The three of them became affectionately known as the Three Musketeers, because when you saw one of them at church, you saw all of them. Jill would always be the one carrying the bible and books and speaking to and hugging everyone as they entered the church. Another interesting note about this trio, they never sat in the back of the church; they always made their way to the front, no matter if the service had already begun.
Over the years, Jill grew in her love for the Lord and her love for life. She loved to socialize at parties and many times was the “life of the party.” She loved all types of music – Gospel, R&B, Rap, etc., and she loved to dance. She was one of the greatest dancers you would ever see. Even while having fun, she never forgot her love for the Lord. And, many times at different private functions, she would pray, speak in tongues and lift her hands in praise to the Lord. Despite challenges, Jill maintained devotion to God and to family. She was serious about the Lord and had the Spirit of God in her -- and it was genuine, not imitated.
Jill rests, having completed her labors in showing forth God’s love, God’s nature and God’s personality. She leaves an indelible mark in the lives of her family: sister, R. (Kathy) Walker Ford of Columbus, Ga.; nieces, Camille D. Ford Williams (Jerome), Daphne Berry Peterson (Randolph), Ashley Berry Linton (Bill) and Lisa Berry Mobley (Herm); great nephews, Brandon G.D Ingersoll and Nigel Harper; great nieces, Breonna Williams, Ashlynn and Aubreigh Linton; aunts, Mamie Menefee of Phenix City, Ala., and Emma Walker of Columbus, Ga.; uncle, Nathaniel H. Menefee of Phenix City, Ala.; a loving companion (Pepper); and a host of other relatives and friends. Special recognition is conveyed to the New Horizon organization for their support.
Love: She has lived her earthly life, allowing “the love of God to be shed abroad in her heart by the Holy Spirit” and therefore able to say with the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
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Condolences and love to the family of my spiritual baby sister Jill from her Detroit family/Las vegas nev sister Pam She was a bright and shinning light of love to the world. practicing loving kindness to all love Pamela Reynolds and the j
Jones family from Detroit
Prayers for new horizons bh family
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Jill, we will miss you, praying for the Walker family 👪
Jill, you'll be missed 😥😥 you was sick 😷😷 at home 🏡 because I know you were known that you have lots of activities, a great smile 😃 of blessing ended. Keep em, in their prayers
I will always remember Jill for when she would often visit my mother-in-law, Nellie, on 7th Street. She was a joy and delight, and she would always have you laughing, especially when she danced. She was sincere when she would lay hands on you and prayed. Jill and my Aunt Brenda ended up bing in the same group home. She would come out to the car to talk when I came to pick up Aunt Brenda for church. Rest in Heaven, Jill. You will always be remembered!
Bless you Jill remember you from New Horizon.Zadie Williams.
Deepest condolences and prayers to Camille and Kathy and the entire family. I have many funny memories of Jill and Camille back in the day on 7th Street. May she rest with the angels in heaven. Vallarie and Roderick Howard
Please accept my deepest sympathy. She will surely be missed. William ''Sonny'' Alexander Jr.
my condolences to the family Jill I'm going to miss you the love that you showed and all your dance moves and not to mention the prayers that you prayed for me sure did me good. Love you my Jill you will forever be loved and missed...Lolita...
Condolences to the families of Jill. May she Rest in Heavenly Peace. I met Jill when we were small children. She loved to hug and be in charge. When it came time for Jill to leave, she was never ready to go,she wanted to stay and play some more or wanted us to go with her. God Bless her soul. Deepest Sympathy B.Daniel❤🌹⚘🌷
I have known Jill since 2007, she was a fun, loving, and caring person. Jill was full of joy, and it spread to others that she was around. If you felt bad, she always had a prayer for you. I will miss Jill but, I know where her home is now, and she will have no pain. My condolences to her family and those that knew and loved Jill. Rebecca Gore, New Horizons Behavioral Health
Sorry for your loss, miss Jeri, I was one of her caregiver before I retired., Jeri love God , she didn't mind showing it, she would go with me to church, and ask the pastor could she pray for him, they loved Jill, always look for her when I went to church. Mrs. Kathy praying for the family, we would pray and she was serious, get her bible and read to me.
I thank God for the time I had with her I pray for the family and her care taker Annette. May God take care of you all in blessings and prayers♥️
As long as I can remember who I was there was Jill. She was a part of the Upshaw family and basically every family on 7th Street. We loved Jill dearly and welcomed her. She could say my name like none other. I can hear her now. I am thankful for Lisa sharing some stories with me. Our paths did not have a chance to cross after Lisa and I connected, but I know our paths with connect again in Heaven! My condolences to the family. May the peace of God rest upon each of you! Blessings!
Condolences to the family. Anna Howard James
My condolences praying for you all at this time .Jill will truly be missed . My the Lord continue to give you all strength 🙏🏾
I will miss my girl, her family is in my prayers. May the Lord bless and keep you all within his grasp. Mary S.
My sincere sympathy to the family. Jill was such a wonderful person she will be greatly missed love always Joyce Williams
Kathy and family,please accept my heartfelt condolences in the passing of your beloved sister,Jill. Your love for your sister was beyond measure. May you find comfort in knowing that she is now resting in our Lord and Saviour's care. With love to you and yours, Constance Tarver Dodson, Ph.D.
My condolences to the family. Jill u will surely be missed. You will always have a special place in my heart you always made me smile rest in peace 🕊️.
My lovely Jill i will surely miss you. You keep me going. You are with the angels. Love and sympathy goes to the Walker family. Annette and Verdell Wharton
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
