Barbara “Barb” Joann Walker, 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Hickory Point Christian Village.

A service to celebrate Barb’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, with Pastor Pat Pajak officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., until the service begins. A graveside service will be held at the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church and the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.

Barb was born in 1933 in Fayette County, Illinois, the daughter of Tony and Fern (Simmons) Brown. She married the love of her life, Billy Jean Walker, in 1952. Barb was an avid fan of author, Gladys Taber, and a member of The Friends of Gladys Taber Group and traveled to Cape Cod to visit Stillmeadows in Connecticut. She was a collector of many things including bird houses, Santas and antiques. She owned and operated The Blue Thistle Antique Shop in Long Creek. Barb loved spending time with her family, spent countless hours gardening and enjoying birds, especially the bluebirds. Barb was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur where she taught a Sunday School Class for senior ladies for 20 years. She will be dearly missed.

Barb is survived by her husband of 70 years, Billy Jean; sons, Jeffrey (Sonya) Walker, of Mt Zion, Timothy (Robin) Walker, of Decatur, Bruce (Carrie) Walker of Mt Zion, Edwin (Michelle) Walker of Mt. Zion and John Walker of Higginsville, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews; sister, June Mahon, of Vandalia, and special neighbors, Donny and Dee Dee Shafer.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Clifton (and wife, Barbara) Brown, of Vandalia, Illinois and Pastor Dale (and wife, Sandra) Brown of Hawesville, Kentucky, grandson, Dalton, and great-grandson, Elie Gene.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at Hickory Point Christian Village for the wonderful care given to our mom.