Leisa Kay Walker

Leisa Kay Walker, 65, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away in her home the morning of Friday, February 9. Leisa had been in hospice care for more than two years and suffered with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA). Born July 1, 1958, in Lake Charles, LA to Roy and Virgie Gilbert, Leisa had two sisters, Melody Permenter of Midlothian TX, Jane Benson of St. Louis MO, and three brothers, Donald Gilbert formerly from Tuscon, AZ, now deceased, Mark Gilbert of Palm Bay FL, and Matt Gilbert of Mammoth Springs AR.

Leisa was married to Andy Walker 43 years and mother to four sons Jonathan, Aaron, Matthew, and Joshua; and she had nine grandchildren whom she adored and by whom she was known as “Granny.”

After graduating from McNeese State University in Early Childhood Education and raising her four sons to school age, Leisa spent her entire teaching career at Nelson Elementary where she taught Third Grade, then Kindergarten and finally Reading until her retirement.

As a lifelong Catholic, Leisa was a regular Mass attendant. She attended CYO as a young person, participated in Awakening Retreat ministry in college, and served as a teacher of Confirmation and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In her illness she devoted herself to intercessory prayer as a member of the Heartworks program. Leisa was a member of the Women of Spirit Theresians who were a great support to her especially in her final years of decline.

Leisa’s delight was always to have something to share. As a youngster she was the “newspaper of the neighborhood.” In her college years she was the friendly grocery checker who would pop open your egg carton to make sure they weren’t cracked. She loved photography and sharing her pictures, some of which were published. She was the “Butterfly Lady” who shared her knowledge and pictures of butterflies and established butterfly gardens. She loved to crochet baby blankets and hats for newborns and to share them with friends and those served by New Life Counseling. Leisa also enjoyed participating in Locks of Love where she donated her hair more than once. She baked and decorated cakes, and of course those who tried her gumbo knew it was something special.

Leisa knew loved and served God, her family, friends, and neighbors. She was beautiful and she was dearly loved. She will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM on Friday, February 16, 2024, in The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles, LA. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM. There will be no visitation on Friday morning.