Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Felts Walker, 84, of Florence, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026.
Mrs. Mary was born on July 15, 1941, and was the middle daughter of seven children born to Ellis, Sr. and Mary Berry Felts in Simpson County, MS. She was raised on a farm in Simpson County. A 1959 graduate of Harrisville High School, Mary was
voted Most Beautiful and Miss Harrisville High, as well as serving as Senior Class president. Although Mary had dreams of becoming a nurse, family circumstances necessitated her going to Draughn’s Business School and beginning her work career quickly.
Shortly after finishing business school, her life was blessed with the love of Jerry Ned Walker. After a few years of dating (and sweet talking), Ned finally convinced Mary to be his wife and they were married at Gatesville Baptist Church on December 2, 1962.
Mary went to work for the executive office of Humble Oil Company, which later became better known as Exxon Oil, with Ned entering the apprenticeship program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Jackson. For the first several years of their marriage, Ned and Mary enjoyed riding Ned’s Harley Davidson, camping, and water skiing with friends.
Some years later when they decided to start their family, the Walkers moved to Terry and began their family farm. Mary continued working publicly until their second child was born, at which time she stayed home to raise the family.
Having both grown up working on farms, Ned and Mary continued that family legacy with their three children by gardening, raising cattle and other animals, hay, and later venturing into soybean, wheat, and milo farming. Mary and Ned were true partners in every aspect of their lives, raising their children, working hard for their future, and caring for each other’s families.
Family was certainly the focus of Mary’s life; she was a devoted daughter and sister, but especially cherished her roles as wife, mother, MawMaw, and finally, as a great-grandmother. Mary had a gift for making others feel special and loved, she loved holidays and family gatherings, with her country cooking bringing comfort and happiness to many over the years, which was one of the many ways she demonstrated her love.
Although they never quit farming, after raising their children, Mary returned to public work. Working for Mississippi Bank in Terry, Trustmark Bank executive offices in Jackson, and finally as a legal secretary for the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. Following her and Ned’s retirement, they continued to raise cattle and hay, but they were blessed to take many memorable motorcycle trips all over the United States and Canada. They even called Ned’s Harley their RV. They made multiple trips to the mountains, several trips out west, and two exceptional trips to Alaska. In one lengthy trip they managed to circle the circumference of North America.
Mary was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Terry and in later years of Antioch Baptist Church of Florence. Her Christian faith has always been evident in her daily life and she has demonstrated a true servant’s heart in the gentle way she cared for so many others; not just in her family, but also in the community.
Mary and Ned shared a special bond throughout life, young adults choosing each other as lifetime partners; building a family together based on love, dedication, and hard work; passing on, not only the value of hard work and a man’s word, but the importance of love and its never-ending power. This amazing dedication to each other has been witnessed and appreciated by many over the years. But the depth of true love is particularly evident in Ned’s unfailing care of Mary after her health began to fail. His fierce dedication to her during the end of their days is a testament to all the years full of living, working, and love.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ellis and Mary Felts; her brothers, Ellis Marvin Felts, Edward Hugh Felts, and John Sidney Felts; and her sister, Eunice Dear. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Ned Walker; her daughter, Jerri Walker Jones (Harold) of Crystal Springs; her son, Greg Walker (Sandra) of Meadville; and son, Clay Walker of Terry. Grandchildren missing their special MawMaw are Aron Walker of Terry, Nathan Walker (Shayna) of Pearl, Joshua Walker (Gabriella) of Florence, Emily Nations (Sloan) of Brookhaven, Karyl Touchstone (Jeff) of Saucier. Great-grandchildren are Blake Ryan Walker, Samuel Lawrence Nations, Jacob Thomas Nations, Elijah Walker Nations, Rosie Jane Walker, River Ned Walker, and Henry Clayton Walker.
Mrs. Walker is also survived by her two younger siblings, her sister, Mildred Faye Norwood of Mobile, Alabama, and her brother, Dossy Felts (Patricia) of Hubert, North Carolina.
Mary’s passing leaves a legacy of hard work, kindness, and love, that will forever be cherished in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. She will be missed by her family and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation was held Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Stringer Funeral Home in Crystal Springs, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. The service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Stringer Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Charles Moore officiating. Interment followed in Terry Cemetery in Terry, MS.
