Brenda Walker's Obituary
Brenda Ford Walker, 73, of Chattanooga, passed away, Monday, June 9, 2025, in a hospital in Newnan, Georgia. She was born November 1, 1951 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Betty Terry and Tommy Ford. She was the baby girl of 10 siblings. Brenda received her education in the Chattanooga Public School and was a 1969 graduate of Howard High School. Brenda worked for Erlanger Medical Center where she worked in Environmental Services, Children’s Respiratory Care, and a Patient Services Representative. She retired on October 31, 2019, after 44 years of service.
On March 20,1999, Brenda became the wife of Willie E. Walker and were married for 26 years. Brenda was a Servant of Jesus Christ and proud member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church under the Leadership of the late Pastor Melvin and Mother Maggie Jordan, where she was a member of The Combined Choir, Women of Excellence, Greeters Ministry, and other areas where she could display her gifts and share her infectious smile and compassionate heard.
Brenda’s life was rooted in family, and she shared a lifelong bond with her beloved first cousins- a connection that deepened and expanded over the years. . .a powerful network of love, support, and shared legacies that grew even stronger with time. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the entire first cousin clan, near and far, who remained present in Brenda’s life through laughter, prayer and presence. Your connection means the world to her and to us.
The Power of Sisterhood: Brenda Walker was richly blessed by a circle of devoted friends whose sisterhood, support and unwavering love graced her life with joy and strength. The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the following special women who walked closely with her over the years. Over 50 years of love – Brenda “BJ” Smith of Houston, TX, Sandra Harris, Patricia “Pat” Dickens, Harriet Thorton, Mary Bowman, Emma Benford and Michelle Buxton, all of Chattanooga, Cherise Smith and Carolyn Smith of California.
Your faithful friendship, compassion and shared memories are treasures in Brenda’s life. We are deeply thankful for the love you poured into her journey and the light you continue to shine in her memory.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Betty Terry Ford; grandparents, Hollis and Annie Lou Terry; brothers, Robert Howard, Jr., Larry Ford, Jesse Leon Ford, David Zeke Ford, Dennis Ford, and Walter Lebron Ford, Sr.; stepsister, Brenda Howard-McEachin; and cousin, Francis Redus.
Survivors include her husband of 26 years, Willie Walker; very dear and devoted children, Felicia M. (Rashad) Muhammad of Chattanooga and Tristan D. Ford of Rock Hill, SC; sisters, Betty A. Parham of Atlanta, GA, Ann E. Simpson, and Dorothy J. Hurt both of Chattanooga, Renee (Warren) Smith, and Natayle Howard-Woodson of Atlanta, GA; sisters-in-love, Mae Gwen Ford of Memphis, TN, and Debra Ford of Chattanooga; brothers, George Howard, Wayne Howard, Homer (Myra) Howard, Benjamin (Janice) Howard of Atlanta, GA; special cousins, James Hawkins of Knoxville, TN, Emmit Terry, and Willie Terry, both of Chattanooga; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Brenda will lie-in-state on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 12:30-5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 12 noon at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church with Pastor Ternae Jordan, Sr. as the Eulogist. Burial in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
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