Jimmie N. Walker, 75, of De Soto died Feb. 9, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Walker was an over-the-road truck owner/operator several truck companies, with more than 5 million total miles. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of Mount Olive United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee on the Mount Olive Cemetery Board. He was a member and past master of Blackwell Lodge 535 of A.F. and A.M. and was a Jefferson County poll worker for more than 20 years.
Mr. Walker played the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus at various nursing homes and businesses and enjoyed decorating his home for Christmas every year for many to enjoy. He enjoyed gardening, especially his small blackberry patches, and gathered four to six truckloads of walnuts every fall. He received his GED on his 62nd birthday. Born Aug. 27, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, he was the son of the late Doyle Walker and Ada (Brown) Jackson.
He is survived by his wife: Donna L. (Propst) Walker of De Soto; six children: Robin (Bryan) Warren of De Soto, Robert (Loretta) Walker of Independence, Betty (Ralph) Reynold of De Soto, Penny (Darrell) Nicholsen of Barnhart, James (the late Tami) Walker of Independence and Debra (Mike) Russell of Independence; a brother: Donald Walker of Georgetown, Ky.; seven grandchildren: Scott Reynolds, Bobby Walker, Mike (Shelby) Walker, Shane Walker, Gabriel Walker, Liam Walker and Lacey Warren; and one great-grandchild: Lovetta Walker. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Louie Walker and Glenn Walker; and one sister: Mary Evelyn Jones.
A funeral service was held Feb. 13 at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto, officiated by the Rev. Stephanie Leonard Bland. Burial was in the Mount Olive Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.