rebecca wheaton walker
1900-1970
Life Story
Biography
(November 1900 – May 31, 1970)
Early Life and Parentage
Rebecca Wheaton Walker was born in November 1900 in Jasper County, Mississippi, to Joe Wheaton (1856– ?) and Louisia Moore Wheaton (1860– ?).
Her obituary gives her birth date as November 24, 1900, while other family and census-derived data suggest late November 1900, sometimes recorded as November 28. This variation reflects common discrepancies in early 20th-century records and does not affect the broader chronology of her life.
At approximately 10 years old, Rebecca was living in Jasper County in the household of her older sister Bettie Wheaton Moncrief and brother-in-law, where she was listed as a farm laborer on the home farm.
Education
Rebecca completed the first year of high school, an achievement that placed her among a smaller number of African American women of her generation to receive secondary education.
Marriage and Family
In 1920, Rebecca was united in marriage to Elbert Walker (1899–1967). Following their marriage, the couple resided in Newton County, Mississippi, where they raised their family.
Children born from this union include:
- Joe Wesley Walker (1921–2000)
- Lucille Walker Rigsby (1923–1997)
- Y. Z. Walker (1925–2006)
- L. A. Walker (1928–2008)
By the time of her death, Rebecca was also survived by 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, indicating a large and extended family network rooted in Newton County.
Church Life and Faith
Rebecca joined Sand Ridge Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. Later, she united with St. John Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and active member until her death.
Her funeral service further reflected this connection, with Mission and Home Demonstration Club members participating and church leadership assisting in the service.
Adult Life and Occupation
Throughout her adult life, Rebecca’s work centered on family and home. In 1950, she was listed as keeping house, a role that encompassed household management, child-rearing, and support of extended kin.
Death and Funeral Services
Rebecca Wheaton Walker passed away on Sunday, May 31, 1970.
Funeral services were held on June 3, 1970, at St. John Baptist Church near Newton, with Rev. Otis Ellis officiating and assistance from other ministers.
Acknowledgement and obituary were rendered by Mrs. Junita Hall and Mrs. Catherine Evans, underscoring community and family involvement.
Burial
Rebecca was laid to rest in the St. John Baptist Church cemetery, with Holifield Funeral Home of Forest, Mississippi, in charge of arrangements.
Source Context: Newspaper Obituary (1970)
The obituary confirms Rebecca Walker’s parentage, church affiliations, marriage, children, funeral service, burial location, and the involvement of community organizations, providing a strong documentary foundation for her life narrative.
Historical Significance
Rebecca Wheaton Walker’s life bridges Jasper and Newton Counties, reflecting patterns of sibling households, farm labor, church-centered life, and multigenerational family continuity. Her long membership at St. John Baptist Church and the size of her surviving family place her among the matriarchal figures whose lives sustained both faith institutions and kin networks in rural Mississippi.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- The Newton Record, Rebecca W. Walker Obituary, Wed, Jun 10, 1970 ·Page 12
- The Newton Record, Elbert Walker Obituary, Wed, Jun 28, 1967 ·Page 7
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