Obituary for Charlene Walker
Bishop Charlene Walker, longtime resident of Altus, Oklahoma entered into eternal rest on August 1, 2022 at Magnolia Creek Nursing and Rehab in Altus with her family by her side. Charlene was 80 years old when God called her home. Services are under the care of the Lowell- Tims Funeral Home.
Charlene was born on April 12, 1942 in Temple, Oklahoma. She was the third child born to the late Rev. Marcus West Sr. and Missionary Jerline (Lee) West. She was raised in Temple and worked in the cotton fields at an early age. The family later to moved to the Altus area. Charlene married the love of her life Rev. Leroy Walker on April 6, 1966 in Altus. They shared 52 blessed years together until Leroy's passing in 2018.
Charlene was an amazing woman on many levels. She dedicated her life to God and ministry. She was a talented musician, vocalist, and songwriter. She used her gifts to form the renowned gospel group "The West Sisters" which consisted of her and her two beloved sisters, Lillie and Bernice. The group traveled the world singing and performing for thousands and recorded three albums. She was also the co-founder of the Faith, Hope & Charity Mission, a non-profit organization that provided food and shelter for the homeless and others in need. Charlene authored a book titled "Brittle Trees" that chronicled her personal journey through depression and healing.
Charlene spent most of her life managing the home and supporting her husband. She worked briefly as a home provider during the late 80's. Her and her husband were active in the Amway business for several years in the 1990's. Although Charlene didn't complete high school due to the work expectations of the era, She set a personal goal for herself and obtained her GED in 2001. She was highly intelligent and was an expert in math.
Charlene grew up in the New Hope Baptist Church. Decades later she would return there as its Senior Pastor. Over the years and alongside her husband, she served as the first lady of the Greater Mt. Zion church in Wellington, Texas; then at the Victory Temple Full Gospel Church there. Leroy stepped away from pastoring and Charlene took up the reigns. The church reformed as the New Beginning Full Gospel Church and was based in Altus. Later, the congregation merged with the New Hope Church under Charlene's leadership. After hard work, passing tests and trials, meeting criteria and years of careful mentoring under Apostle Nehemiah Rhinehardt, she was elevated to the position of bishop within the Solid Rock Full Gospel Ministries Conference. Hoping to continue her husband's legacy of grooming and preparing people for ministry and spiritual warfare, Charlene pressed on through hard times and adversity to continue spreading the word of God and His love to everyone she met.
In her spare time, Charlene enjoyed listening to music, working in her garden and flowerbeds, talking on the phone and helping others. She also loved cooking, shopping, going to garage sales and traveling. She made the best cakes, pies and casseroles! Charlene was extremely passionate about her family. She was instrumental in planning the family reunions and always opened her home to anyone needing a place to stay. She also loved being a grandmother and aunt. Her house was the setting for many family Christmases and holiday gatherings. Giving gifts was one of her favorite things and she always made sure everyone had a little something special. Bringing people together was always an easy task for her.
Charlene was able to impact the world with her voice and presence. Her charisma, honesty and kind spirit will never be forgotten by the countless lives she touched.
Meeting Charlene at Heaven's gates are her parents, Marcus & Jerline West; her husband, Apostle Leroy Walker (2018); her brothers: Raymond West, Kenneth West, and Walter "PeeWee" West; her sisters: Bernice Sneed, & Betty Johnson; two sisters- in-law: Margaret West and Flora Mae West; her grandson: Denton Walker (2015); and her spiritual son, Robert Campbell.
Left to honor her great legacy and memory are her son, David Walker; her daughters: Desiree Walker and Clara Heard; her brothers: Marcus West Jr. and his wife, Sharon; and James West; her sisters: Lillie Reed and her husband, Harry; Katy West; Wilda Jean Holezmore and her husband, Dave; her grandchildren: Tyrone Walker; Patrice Harris and her husband, Brandon; Cicel Crosby and wife, Tiffany; Daxton Walker and Whitney Williams.; her great-grandchildren: Jakobi, Brandon Jr; Phineas and Zyan; her brother-in-law, James Sneed; sister-in-law: Dinah Cheney; special cousins: Sherry West Dykes and Vietta High; her spiritual children: Tyrone Campbell, Bakeisha Hood, Doris Thomas; her best friend & caregiver, Sis. Betty Ruth Tubbs and her girls, Wanda & Paula Chambers; special friends; the Hunnicuts and Rev. Joe and Carolyn Thomas, The Rhinehardts; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives, friends and church family.
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Charlene was born on April 12, 1942 in Temple, Oklahoma. She was the third child born to the late Rev. Marcus West Sr. and Missionary Jerline (Lee) West. She was raised in Temple and worked in the cotton fields at an early age. The family later to moved to the Altus area. Charlene married the love of her life Rev. Leroy Walker on April 6, 1966 in Altus. They shared 52 blessed years together until Leroy's passing in 2018.
Charlene was an amazing woman on many levels. She dedicated her life to God and ministry. She was a talented musician, vocalist, and songwriter. She used her gifts to form the renowned gospel group "The West Sisters" which consisted of her and her two beloved sisters, Lillie and Bernice. The group traveled the world singing and performing for thousands and recorded three albums. She was also the co-founder of the Faith, Hope & Charity Mission, a non-profit organization that provided food and shelter for the homeless and others in need. Charlene authored a book titled "Brittle Trees" that chronicled her personal journey through depression and healing.
Charlene spent most of her life managing the home and supporting her husband. She worked briefly as a home provider during the late 80's. Her and her husband were active in the Amway business for several years in the 1990's. Although Charlene didn't complete high school due to the work expectations of the era, She set a personal goal for herself and obtained her GED in 2001. She was highly intelligent and was an expert in math.
Charlene grew up in the New Hope Baptist Church. Decades later she would return there as its Senior Pastor. Over the years and alongside her husband, she served as the first lady of the Greater Mt. Zion church in Wellington, Texas; then at the Victory Temple Full Gospel Church there. Leroy stepped away from pastoring and Charlene took up the reigns. The church reformed as the New Beginning Full Gospel Church and was based in Altus. Later, the congregation merged with the New Hope Church under Charlene's leadership. After hard work, passing tests and trials, meeting criteria and years of careful mentoring under Apostle Nehemiah Rhinehardt, she was elevated to the position of bishop within the Solid Rock Full Gospel Ministries Conference. Hoping to continue her husband's legacy of grooming and preparing people for ministry and spiritual warfare, Charlene pressed on through hard times and adversity to continue spreading the word of God and His love to everyone she met.
In her spare time, Charlene enjoyed listening to music, working in her garden and flowerbeds, talking on the phone and helping others. She also loved cooking, shopping, going to garage sales and traveling. She made the best cakes, pies and casseroles! Charlene was extremely passionate about her family. She was instrumental in planning the family reunions and always opened her home to anyone needing a place to stay. She also loved being a grandmother and aunt. Her house was the setting for many family Christmases and holiday gatherings. Giving gifts was one of her favorite things and she always made sure everyone had a little something special. Bringing people together was always an easy task for her.
Charlene was able to impact the world with her voice and presence. Her charisma, honesty and kind spirit will never be forgotten by the countless lives she touched.
Meeting Charlene at Heaven's gates are her parents, Marcus & Jerline West; her husband, Apostle Leroy Walker (2018); her brothers: Raymond West, Kenneth West, and Walter "PeeWee" West; her sisters: Bernice Sneed, & Betty Johnson; two sisters- in-law: Margaret West and Flora Mae West; her grandson: Denton Walker (2015); and her spiritual son, Robert Campbell.
Left to honor her great legacy and memory are her son, David Walker; her daughters: Desiree Walker and Clara Heard; her brothers: Marcus West Jr. and his wife, Sharon; and James West; her sisters: Lillie Reed and her husband, Harry; Katy West; Wilda Jean Holezmore and her husband, Dave; her grandchildren: Tyrone Walker; Patrice Harris and her husband, Brandon; Cicel Crosby and wife, Tiffany; Daxton Walker and Whitney Williams.; her great-grandchildren: Jakobi, Brandon Jr; Phineas and Zyan; her brother-in-law, James Sneed; sister-in-law: Dinah Cheney; special cousins: Sherry West Dykes and Vietta High; her spiritual children: Tyrone Campbell, Bakeisha Hood, Doris Thomas; her best friend & caregiver, Sis. Betty Ruth Tubbs and her girls, Wanda & Paula Chambers; special friends; the Hunnicuts and Rev. Joe and Carolyn Thomas, The Rhinehardts; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives, friends and church family.
To send flowers in memory of Charlene Walker, visit the Tribute Store.
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Altus, OK 73521
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Altus, OK 73521
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