Deaconess Mary Elizabeth Walker

God touch our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Mary Elizabeth Walker, on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Mary, affectionately known as “Babysis” was born in Hanover, Virginia, to the union of Sallie and Marshall Lewis, Sr. She was the second youngest of three siblings: born from that union, her late brother, Marshall Lewis Jr., and her devoted sister, Edith Giles. At the early age of 10, she joined Brown Grove Baptist Church in Hanover and remained a faithful follower of Christ ever since. Mary graduated in 1956 from John M. Gandy High School in Hanover, VA. She then attended Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, where she studied sewing for two years. In the 1960s, Mary moved to Brooklyn, New York where she taught sixth-grade Home Economics at Concord Baptist Church. Mary moved back to Richmond in the late 1970s, where she worked at Sears and Roebuck making curtains and draperies. She was also employed by General Electric for ten years and the Tobacco factory for five years. In 1978, Mary joined Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she remained a dedicated and faithful member. She served as chairperson of the church Hospitality Ministry and was also a member of Kavanza Smith Ushers, Senior Ministry, and the Spratley Allen Missionary Ministries. On May 23, 2010, Mary was consecrated as a Deaconess at Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III. She was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Deaconess Conference of Richmond and Vicinity. Mary will be lovingly remembered by her devoted sister Edith Giles. She was a dedicated mother who shown an undeniable love to her three children: Cynthia Anderson, Debra Wynn and Michael Walker. She leaves behind three grandsons, Andre Anderson, Anthony Wynn, and Lamar Wynn; one granddaughter, Sage Walker; three great grandsons, Javeon Billie, Raghi Anderson, Antonio B. Wynn; and one great-great-great grandson, Jace Billie. Two God children, Jonathan Guyton and Kim McCutchen. She also leaves behind a host of cousins, devoted family and friends. Mary had a passion for working with kids and devoted her time working at Wynnies Childcare and to her Rising Mount Zion Family. Though small in stature, Deaconess Mary Walker was a giant in spirit—a loving mother and a faithful servant who embodied Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Tributes

Deaconess Mary Elizabeth Walker

November 18, 1936 - August 24, 2025