Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker

Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker passed away peacefully at home in Gastonia January 25, 2018 at 9:30 PM. She was surrounded by the love and presence of family and friends. This Gentle Soul, Mary, was born to Willie Louetta (Hefner) and Roy Roosevelt Carrigan on 9/29/1932 in Newton, NC. She married Perry Walker on December 24, 1947 and together they had five children. Following the divorce and death of Perry Walker she married Jessie Paul Walker (1969) and they shared their combined family of eight until 1/17/2008 when he passed away. In her life time she had many great accomplishments. She raised her children, taught Sunday School, pioneered the first professional commercial sewing program for women in Bristol, TN; was manager of Cozy Dozy in Bristol, TN; was a manager at Beauty Maid Mills in Statesville, NC and at Taylor Togs in Taylorsville, NC; earned a degree in Nursing and was a certified EMT; and together she and Paul managed as House Parents the House in Statesville, NC. Mary had many talents and gifts, and she used these always to bless others. She often opened her home to strangers giving them room and board for free. She was known for her beautiful smile, soft spoken voice, gentle heart, great love of children, open table to all, and her brilliant mind. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Roy Carrigan; husband, Jessie Paul Walker; son, Larry Dale Walker; daughter Patricia Joann Walker; an un-named stillborn child; and two step-children, Billy and Albert Walker along with a brother Roy; sister Myrtle and sister Emma Jean Carrigan. Mary left to grieve her passing and rejoice in her life, a daughter, Rev. Susan Jean Walker Leipsner of Gastonia, NC; a son Perry Allen Walker of Love Valley, NC; and a son Roger O'Neil Walker of Hiddenite, NC; also, a step-daughter, Judy Southers, and daughter-in-law, Teresa Walker. Also left to mourn her passing are grandchildren, Rose Mary, Sarah, Jennifer, April, Rita, Christopher, Jonathan, Angela, Amy, and Curtis, along with many Great and Great-Great Grandchildren; also two brothers, Rev. Andrew Carrigan of SC and his wife and family and Jerry Wayne Carrigan of Statesville and his wife and family; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mary also had a close friend whom she adored, Lucille Mash. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm on Sunday, January 28 at Chapman Funeral Home. The Family invites all family, neighbors, and friends to join them to celebrate Mary's Life Journey on Monday, January 29 at 2:00 PM at South River United Methodist Church in Hiddenite NC, located at 2540 Cheatham Ford Road. Her earthly remains will lie in state from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to the funeral. Flowers may be sent to Chapman Funeral Home and to Mary's home at 210 West Fifth Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052. Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to your favorite charity or to Gaston Hospice of Dallas, NC who made it possible for Mary to spend her last few days at home surrounded by loving family, friends, and pets. Rev. Doug Hochmuth and Rev. Steve Phillippi will officiate.

Tributes

Mary Ellen Carrigan Walker

September 29, 1932 - January 25, 2018