Marie Pace Walker

Marie Pace Walker, age 90, died Friday, May 15, 2015, in Gulfport, MS. She was a native of Stephens, Arkansas and resident of Gulfport since 1970. Marie was the youngest of eleven children, nine of whom survived to adulthood. Her mother died when she was 12 and one of her older sisters, Polly, put her life on hold and stayed at home to help raise the two remaining children, Mary Margaret and Marie. By the time WWII was over, the Pace children lived all over the country but remained closer than most families living in one town. They stayed in touch by a Round-Robin letter that arrived at our house every two months or so. It was an event when it arrived as we were kept in touch with every sister and brother and their families. The Pace family reunions were the best. We never witnessed any disharmony. Everyone always enjoyed each other and had a great time together. It was a remarkable family. Marie married after high school and was a devoted stay- at- home wife and mother until she decided at the tender age of 48 to return to school. She graduated from Jefferson Davis Junior College and became a registered nurse. She worked at Gulfport Memorial Hospital for 13 years before retiring. She was a Protestant. She was a member of Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi, MS and served on the board of different organizations at the club. She loved playing golf, fishing, gardening, and enjoyed having a vegetable garden each spring. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John Robert Walker. Her parents were William and Mary Pace of Stephens, AR. Also, preceded in death were three brothers: Russell Pace (Norma), Stephens, AR; Edward Pace (Marie), Camden, AR; and William Pace (Cleamer), Camden, AR; four sisters: Sadie Smith (Robert), Louann, AR; Inez Garrett (Edward), Oceana, VA; Pauline Moon (Noel), Camden, AR; and Gladys Noltensmeier (Harold), Elberta, AL. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Stroup (Richard) of Georgetown, TX and Roberta (Robbie) Walker of Gulfport, MS. She has four grandchildren: Jack Stroup (Cyndi), Indian Rocks Beach, FL; Alicia Walker, Walla Walla, WA; Stacey Waddell (Jeffrey), Battleground, WA; and Mark Stroup (Janet), Longwood, FL. There are six great grandchildren: Zachary, Elijah, and Gabriela Stroup; Nelson and Claire Walker; and Matthew Stroup. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Margaret White (Melvin), Victoria, TX. A dear friend and neighbor, Terry White (Arthur), was like a third daughter and sister to our family since 1977. Graveside services will be held at Liberty Cemetery in Louann, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army of South MS, 575 Division St, Biloxi, MS 39530 would be appreciated. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Rd. Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.