Barbara Ann Mathews Walker, formerly of Huntsville, died at her home on April 9, 2024. She was born to parents Mr. and Mrs. Manly L. Mathews in Jasper, AL. She held a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Chemistry at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she was also a member of Chi Omega sorority. She married George Roy Walker, Jr., in 1955.
Barbara worked as a researcher in biochemistry first at Southern Research in Birmingham, AL, then at the University of Mississippi and the University of Pittsburgh. In the early 1960’s, Barbara and George moved to Chapel Hill, NC, where George was an Instructor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. In 1966, they moved to Huntsville, AL, and later joined the First Presbyterian Church, where Barbara was an active member for over 50 years. Barbara loved all animals and was an avid gardener, birdwatcher, and reader of theology and philosophy.
Preceded in death by her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Elinor Ann Walker Phillips; son-in-law, William Melvin Phillips II: grandsons, William Walker Phillips and Colin Thomas Phillips; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, with a graveside service following at Maple Hill Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Tara W. Bulger, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 307 Gates Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL 35801 (https://www.fpchsv.org), or to The Greater Huntsville Humane Society, 2812 Johnson Road SW, Huntsville, AL 35805 (https://ghhs.org).
