Arthur Walker

of Birmingham, passed away on January 14, 2005. He was born on April 10, 1926, and was 78 years old. After serving in WWII and the army of occupation in Japan, Dr. Walker attended Howard College, The Southern Baptist Seminary, and received his Th.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Ordained by ACIPCO Baptist Church, Dr. Walker had a long and distinguished career as an educator, pastor, mentor, and peer. Known as a scholar and mentor to students, he served at Howard College/Samford University in the Religion Departrment and as Dean of Students and Vice-President for Student and Administrative Affairs from 1956 - 1976. He also served as Vice-President for Student Affairs at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, and as Executive Director of the Education Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, TN. Dr. Walker served as interim pastor for 49 churches from 1956 - 1998, and published numerous articles and book reviews. Dearly loved and respected by both sides of his extended family, Dr. Walker served as "family pastor" for many family weddings and funerals. Dr. Walker is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Sr. and Agnes Walker, and his son, Gregory Arthur Walker. Dr. Walker is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gladys; his daughter Marcia and son-in-law Pat; grandchildren, Brent, Bryant, and Jennifer Hamby; brothers, Jimmy (Betty) Walker and Roy (Sylvia) Walker; sister-in-law Rochelle Walker; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 16, from 4 to 6 PM at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Hwy 150, in Hoover. The funeral service will be Monday, January 17, at Brookwood Baptist Church on Overton Road, officiated by Dr. Barry Howard and Rev. Roy Walker. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Greg Walker Scholarship Fund at Samford University. Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home directing.