Joseph A. "Joe" Walker, Sr.

Longtime United Methodist Pastor and Ridgeway Funeral Home employee Rev. Joseph A. “Joe” Walker, Sr., age 86 of Paris, TN, died Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at Henry County Medical Center in Paris, TN.

He was a graduate of Alamo High School in Alamo, TN.  He attended Murray State Teachers College in Murray, KY, Demorest College in Demorest, GA, Bethel College in McKenzie, TN, and Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN.  Joe retired as a United Methodist minister where he served and pastored churches in Northeast Georgia, Western Kentucky, and West Tennessee from 1957-2005, last serving in Big Sandy, TN, and Springville, TN.  He last worked for Ridgeway Funeral Home in Paris for several years.  Joe was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Temple Hill Masonic Lodge 276 in Almo, KY.

Joe was born August 4, 1932, in the Clopton Community near Brighton, TN, to the late Buckley Austra Walker and the late Thelma Elizabeth Stone Walker.

He was married January 14, 1955, to Bernice LaVernia Boles Walker, who preceded him in death on June 10, 2018.

He is survived by two sons, Joseph Austra “Joe” (Cindy) Walker, Jr., of Dyersburg, TN, and William “Bill” Parker (Ceci) Walker of Memphis, TN; two granddaughters; one grandson; four great granddaughters; and one great grandson.

Along with his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Alma Elizabeth Walker and Martha Jane Walker.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St, Paris, TN, where visitation will be Friday, October 26, 2018, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and continue Saturday, October 27, 2018, from 9:00 am – 10:30 am.  A graveside service will be Saturday, October 27, 2018, at 11:00 am at Rose Lawn Memory Garden Chapel in Paris, TN, with Paul McAdoo officiating.

Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memory Garden in Paris, TN.