Ruth Bird Walker

Agnes Ruth Bird Walker, 82, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away in her home on the morning of Tuesday August 7, 2012. Ruth had been in hospice care for nearly a year and suffered with Alzheimer's disease. She was born March 13, 1930 in Marks, LA to Levert Bird and Elizabeth Marioneaux Bird. She had one sister Elizabeth Bird Mooney, two brothers, Levert Peter Bird, and Edwin Bird all now deceased.

An attendee of Sacred Heart College, Ruth graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and served as a teacher for 35 years until her retirement from the Calcasieu Parish School system in 1987. She also served several years as director of CCD at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

Neil Aaron Walker was her husband for 32 years until his death in 1984.

Teaching children to read was her passion. She enjoyed outdoor activities, hunting, fishing and camping, and she loved to watch birds. Her travels included much of the United States including trips to Hawaii and several trips to Europe.

Ruth is survived by one son Andrew Thomas Walker and his wife Leisa Gilbert Walker, of Lake Charles, her four grandsons Jonathan Michael Walker and his wife Megan Goldsmith Walker, Aaron Christopher Walker and his wife Chelsea Janice Walker, Matthew David Walker, all of New Orleans, and Joshua Alexander Walker also of Lake Charles. She had one great grandson Abraham Alexander Walker.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 10, 2012 at St. Margaret Catholic Church. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.