Betty Jean Walker

Betty Jean Walker passed away on Friday March 1, 2019 at the age of 88. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 64 years, John Walker, daughters Debby Walker, Karen (Jim) Cubberley, son Philip (Bridget) Walker, grandchildren Samuel Cubberley, Emma Walker, Katelyn Cubberley, Lily Walker and sisters Marian Arend and Lorraine Scott. She was preceded in death by her brothers Robert and Marvin Geike and sisters Joyce Morlock and Janice Mensinger. 

Betty was born February 6, 1931, to Charles and Hattie Geike in Benton Harbor, MI. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1954 with a degree in Elementary Education and obtained her Masters in Teaching from Wayne State University. She taught 3rd grade before coming home to raise her three children. Together with her husband, Betty was an active volunteer in community and church throughout her life, serving as election judge, teacher, Stephen’s Minister and trainer, and volunteering in various capacities with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) for Kent County and for Community Mental Health Services of Michigan since she and John moved to Grand Rapids to live in Cascade Woods in 1989.

Betty was most known for her deep Christian faith, compassion, and passion for service to others, for her wonderful cooking and hospitality, for her lively intelligence and playful sense of humor, and for her tenacity and tireless advocacy for the mentally ill and their families. As a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, mentor and friend with a large extended family she will be lovingly remembered by many.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to NAMI, Calvary Church, or Samaritas.

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