Peggy Skilling Walker, 77, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on November 30th, surrounded by her family.
Peggy was born in Pensacola, Florida, but grew up in Wylam, Alabama. She graduated from Ensley High School (’60), earned a BS degree at Auburn University (’64), and received a Master of Education from the University of North Florida (‘85).
Teaching was her passion, and she rose to the top of her profession. She was chair of the Science Department at two college-preparatory schools: Episcopal High School in Jacksonville, Florida, and Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama. Peggy’s teaching centered on the biological sciences. Advanced Placement Biology was her forte; the percentage of her students to earn college credit was far above average.
She was one of 100 teachers chosen to participate in Genentech’s inaugural program to introduce computers into the science classroom. She was the recipient of many professional-development grants, through which she attended summer programs at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University, among others. She was named Alabama Science Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2003.
Many of her vibrant professional relationships developed into lifelong friendships.
Peggy was a longtime and active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. She was a member of Huntsville’s Culture Club and honors societies Kappa Delta Pi, Lambda Tau, and the Cum Laude Society. She became a member of P.E.O. as one of her last living acts.
Peggy was preceded in death by her father and mother, Joseph and Sarah Skilling of Birmingham, Alabama; her brother, Joseph W. Skilling; and sister, Janet S. Priest. She is survived by her husband, Roland E. Walker, Jr.; her children, Amy K. Walker, D. Roland Walker, and Elizabeth W. Townsend; and four loving grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 7th at Covenant Presbyterian Church, with the funeral service following at the church at 2:30.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church “Maranatha Kids to Camp Fund” (https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=d6306f); Huntsville Community Foundation “Summer Adventures In Learning (SAIL)” (https://communityfoundationhsv.org/for-visionaries/sail-program); American Cancer Society or other charity of choice.
