Celebration of Life Thomas F. Walker, III. Sunrise: March 22, 1945 - Sunset: January 25, 2018

Sunrise
March 22,1945
Sunset
January 25, 2pl8

Enjoyed Life
J~ie Served Others
Loved Deeply

Saturday, February 3, 2018 | 11:00 A.M
BIG BETHEL AME CHURCH
220 Auburn Avenue, NE | Atlanta. Georgia
Reverend John Foster, Ph.D., Officiating
The Life and Legacy of
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Thomas F. Walker, III was born on March 22, 1945 to the late Thomas F. Walker Sr., and Alice Hannah Walker of
Augusta Georgia He was educated in the Richmond County Public School System and was a graduate in the Class of
1963 from Lucy Craft Laney High School. At an early age, he accepted Christ and began his membership at Bethel AME
Church in Augusta, GA. As a young adult, Thomas enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967. While
serving in the Air Force, he was a Medical Specialist in the U.S. Air Force Medical Specialist Service School at Gunter
Air Force Base in Alabama. In 1967, he enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program of Grady Memorial Hospital and
Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He thoroughly enjoyed this program and continued until
completion. He had found his career passion.
The year of 1969 started out as a great year for Thomas. He began his first career assignment as a Physician Assistant
fPA') in the Division of Cardiology at Grady Memorial Hospital. Later in this year during the Christmas season, he
married the love of his life, the late Josephine Allen, at Trinity AME Church. The beautiful couple met a few years
earlier at an ice cream shop on Gradys campus and the sparks were ignited. From this marriage were born two
children, Sean and Sonyette, who brought the couple constant delight. In 1978, Thomas joined the United States
Army GA National Guard Reserves and served for 20 years.
As a father and healthcare professional, Thomas took pride in caring for the lives of others. His ambition to provide
excellent healthcare allowed him to quickly be advanced to the position of being Assistant to the Physician Director
in the General Adult Clinic at Grady in the year of 1974. Thereafter, Thomas worked at the Veterans Administration
(V.A.] Medical Center from 1976 until retirement in 2001. During his career journey at the V.A, he worked in the
Cardiology Clinic, worked as a Cardiac Device Implant Coordinator, Cardiac Transplant Coordinator, and Clinical and
Administrative Supervisor in the Cardiology Section. As adjunct positions to his profession at the V.A., he worked
for Cardiovascular Physicians of North Atlanta, Atlanta Gastroenterology, and Georgia Baptist Medical Center
Rehabilitation Center.
In 2002, Thomas decided that retirement was not for him and began working for Morehouse School of Medicine in
Cardiology Practice and Research, and continued for 10 years. In 2012, he began providing healthcare to Cardiac
patients at East Atlanta Cardiology where he spent most of his time at Dekalb Medical Center at Hillandale, and
occasionally at Dekalb Medical Center Main Campus and Rockdale Hospital. He recently retired from this position on
December 15, 2017, as he was looking forward to retirement, and spending more time vacationing with family and
enjoying his grandgirls.
A few of the many professional organizations that Thomas was a member of were the Georgia Association of Physician
Assistants, Association of Black Cardiologists, and the Society of Army Physician Assistants. Thomas was also a
mentor for PA students, guest lecturer for various cardiology events, and proctor for NCCPA National Board Exams.
Outside of Thomas professional life, he was a fun, energetic, and loving person. When he entered the room, he brought
joy to the atmosphere. He loved to dance, sing, and enjoyed his life to the fullest. He spent his Friday evenings at
Ellerys where he thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with friends, listening to great music, and drinking his
favorite glass of fruit punch.
Thomas was formally a longtime member of the well-known tour choir "The Voices of Trinity in Atlanta, Georgia for
several years where he lead solos and wore many "hats. He later joined Big Bethel AME Church where he served as a
faithful member of the Male Choir. Thomas was unconditionally loved by all of his patients, friends, co-workers, and
family. He departed this earthly life, and moved to his eternal home on January 25, 2017. Although his promotion to
heaven is our sudden loss, it is heavens gain because he has earned his wings. With his family by his side, Thomas
entered into eternal peace.
He leaves his legacy to be cherished by his devoted children, Sean Patrick Walker and Sonyette Michelle Walker,
loving sisters, Juanita Mack, Ann Grider, and Margaret Black; one loving brother, Robert L. Walker; adoring grandgirls,
Mariah and Haven; dearest niece, LaTashia Thomas; long-time friends, John Adams and Richard Winston; and a host
of countless nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
eiDice
Reverend John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor
Officiating
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL
HYMN OF PRAISE
INVOCATION
SCRIPTURE:
Old Testament
New Testament
SOLO
REFLECTIONS:
(3 Minutes Please)
READING OF OBITUARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MUSICAL SELECTION
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - AME Hymn #84M
Big Bethel Music Ministry
Reverend Conitras Houston
Reverend Joyce Young
Minister Timothy Walker. Sr.
Ms. Candis Malloy
Mr. John Adams, Long Time Friend
Adefisayo Oduwole, M.D
(Morehouse School of Medicine)
M. Srinivasan, M.D.
T. David Gbadebo, M.D.
(Cardiologists of East Atlanta Cardiology)
Mr. Sean Walker, Son
Ms. Sonyette Walker, Daughter
(Read Silently)
Ms. Valerie Jackson
Big Bethel Music Ministry
WORDS OF COMFORT Reverend Dr. Jeffery B. Cooper, Sr.
General Secretary AME Church/ CIO
RECESSIONAL
SERVICE OF COMMITTAL
Westview Cemetery
1680 Westview Drive, Southwest
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
After the committal service, you are invited to fellowship with the family downstairs in the fellowship hall
Big Bethel AME Church
220 Auburn Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
J
THANK YOU DADDY
Thank you daddy for giving us all of these wonderful years,
Another sad day has approached us and it brings us to tears.
You were there to witness our first walk and hear our first words,
You taught us to always trust in the Lord.
Thank you daddy for being there for our proms, high school, and college graduations,
You shielded and protected us during tough times in every situation.
We are so honored to call you our father and friend,
No one could have prepared us for what some call The End".
Our memories of you will continue to live on,
What you have instilled in us will help us remain strong.
Even when mom transitioned, you remained by our side,
You helped us to develop loyalty, trust, and pride.
If one wish could be granted, we'd both wish to hear your voice one more time,
It will bring us comfort and ease our mind.
Thank you daddy for being the greatest example a father could be,
Your words of wisdom will resonate with us for eternity.
We love you daddy and this is a difficult situation we have to face,
But we know we will get through this with great memories and Gods grace.
Daddy, this is not a "goodbye, as within our hearts your legacy will reside.
Till we meet again, we will see you on the other side.
Love, Sean and Sonyette

iss ME but let me go,
for this is a journey we all
must take and each must go alone
its all part of the MASTERS PLAN
a step on the road
la
ame
J
---------------------\
I'm Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Author Unknown
J
------------------------------------------- V.
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Lifelong Friends, Co- Workers, and Extended Family Members
PALLBEARERS
Mr. Mike Armistad
Mr. Derrick Right
Mr. Kendrick White
Mr. Danny Battle
Mr. Bryan Evans
Mr. Marcus Strickland
FLORAL BEARERS
The Voices of Trinity Choir
Co-Workers of DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair.
Perhaps you sent those beautiful flowers that we saw sitting there.
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend would say.
Perhaps you could not be there at all, just thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console our hearts,
we thank you so much for whatever part.
S MURRAY
BROTHERS
FUNERAL HOME, INC.
404-349-3000
1199 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest
(corner of Cascade Rd, near 1-285) MKO Graphics & Printers, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia 30331 404-931-7230
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