Rosa Elizabeth Rice Walker was called from a blessed life to a more glorious eternal life with her God on Monday, March 30, 2026. Rosa was the fourth child of John “Jack” Rice and Lucy Turner Rice of Huntsville, Alabama.
Rosa—lovingly known by her siblings as “Rosebud,” her nieces and nephews as “Aunt Rosie,” and to her mother she was “Sweet Rose”—was a gentle light whose kindness, faith, and quiet strength touched every life she encountered.
She was a native Huntsvillian and a graduate of Councill High School. Following high school, she earned an associate’s degree at Crane Junior College in Chicago, now Malcolm X Community College, and completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education at Alabama A&M University. She also earned a second master’s degree in counseling from Troy University and completed additional graduate work in school administration at Christopher Newport College and Hampton University.
Her Christian journey began on Church Street in Huntsville where she attended Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the church of her late mother, and St. John AME Church, the church of her late father. She also worshiped at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church alongside extended family members, where she faithfully sang in the choir.
After accepting Christ as her personal Savior, Rosa committed herself to the study of God’s Word and to living a life that reflected her deepening relationship with the Lord. During her two decades as a military spouse, she remained steadfast in her service, actively participating in Protestant Chapel youth programs and teaching Bible School. Her desire for spiritual growth led her to complete several non-denominational correspondence courses, including the Visualized Bible Series.
Rosa was a classroom teacher for nearly 35 years in a variety of systems and settings. Her career spanned six public school systems across five states—Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia—as well as two private Christian academies, in grade levels from kindergarten through 12th grade. She also worked in the testing center at Alabama A&M University and later in admissions at Troy University’s Center Hurlburt Air Force Base, Florida campus. Rosa’s skill sets included classroom management, coaching and mentoring, counseling, curriculum development, psychometrics, training, and tutoring.
In addition to her academic preparation, she actively participated in a wide range of professional development opportunities to strengthen her teaching effectiveness and to expand the breath of experiences for her students. Her professional certificates and training included: Comprehensive Integrated Reading and Composition, Cooperative Learning, Education Technology, High School Enrichment in Science, Huntsville Alliance Science Program, Learning Styles, Multi-Cultural Education, Professional Education Training, Reality Therapy, and Service Learning.
She conducted system-wide in-service training as well as specialized training for individual schools, both public and private. Additionally, she served as a consultant and coach at a start-up private academy to help new teachers further develop their skills and to assist administrators prepare for accreditation.
At St. John AME Church, Rosa continued her lifelong dedication to ministry. She served in numerous capacities, including Sunday School Assistant Teacher, Bible School Teacher, Christian Education Leader, member of the AMEN Newsletter staff, Women’s Ministry, Hospitality Committee, Caregivers Ministry, and the Stewardess Board. She was also a faithful supporter of the church’s outreach efforts, consistently offering her time, talents, and compassion to those in need.
Rosa had extensive involvement in civic and community activities, to include serving on several boards: Edge Charter School initiative, the Huntsville Education Association, AA&MU-UAH Regional In-Service Education Center, Regional Hands-on-Science Center, South Jackson Civic Center, and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Other volunteer work includes the Boys and Girls Club, Huntsville Human Relations Council, Junior Achievement, Docent at the Weeden House, Meals on Wheels, blood drive coordinator in several military communities, Searcy Homes Tutorial Program, Motlow College Gala Planning Committee, and Sunday/Bible School Teacher at St. John.
Rosa is a member of the Madison County Retired Teacher Association and life member and “Silver Star” of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 2018, she received the Rosetta James Foundation’s “Honoring our Elders” award.
Rosa is preceded in death by her parents John “Jack” and Lucy Rice, sister, June Rice Newby Bacon, and nephew Titus Newby. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dr. Arthur L. Walker, Jr., whom she affectionately called “Walker,” and beloved daughter, Angela, who called her “Ma”; sister Carolyn Rice Battle (William), and brothers Dr. Horace Rice (Pamela), Milton Rice (Traycine); nieces Carron Battle, Carmen Battle, Tasha Davis (Derrick), Kenya Epps (Kendrick) and nephews Terrell Newby (Lorraine), Desmond Rice (Janet), Keith Rice and a host of grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
Rosa’s appreciation for educational excellence and life of service, devotion, and unwavering faith stands as a lasting testament to her love for God, her family, and her church community.
“People will forget what you do
People will forget what you say-
But People will never forget how you made the feel”
Maya Angelou
Memorial service for Mrs. Rosa Elizabeth Rice Walker will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church (229 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35810) with Pastor Maurice Wright, II officiating.
The Walker family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the St. John AME Church Soup Kitchen at 229 Church Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 or The Harris Home for Children at 1210 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801.
