Mary Lou Walker, 88 died February 21, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was born on August 22, 1918 in Baldwin, Louisiana, but spent most of her long and rich life in Beaumont, Texas. She retired in 1984 after working many years as the manager for Larry Robinson Studio.
She was an active member of St. Joseph Parish in Beaumont and her faith in God sustained her throughout her life. She was a regular attendee at the Saturday evening Mass.
She was very proud of her Italian heritage, and she participated in Beaumont’s Italian American Club.
A prolific letter writer, she stayed in touch with friends and relatives on a regular basis. She helped to organize a DeVersa family reunion in 1991 that brought together close to 100 family members.
Her son, Earl, moved to Hawaii in 1983 and Mary spent every Christmas and most of her birthdays in the 50th state with him. She loved to boast that she had been to Hawaii close to 40 times. During her stays in Hawaii, she traveled to all of the major islands, made numerous friends and attended St. John Vianney parish in Kailua, Hawaii. In 2005, she left Beaumont to live with her son for the last year of her life.
She is preceded by her parents, Joseph and Annie DeVersa, and her three brothers, Charles, Peter, and Sydney DeVersa. She is survived by her sister, Edna Marino of Beaumont, Texas, her son Earl Walker, of Kailua Hawaii, her granddaughter Alyson (Jerry) Waldron of Wimberley, Texas, two great-grandchildren, Shelby and Lane Waldron and adopted son Gary Wiseman. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Her life will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2007 with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 Orange Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.