Obituary of Zora Mae Jenkins Walker

Zora Mae Jenkins Walker went home to be with the Lord on September 30, 2013, after a period of declining health. She was born July 28, 1922, in Graham County, NC, the daughter of James Virgil Jenkins and Esta Hyde Jenkins. She was married for 53 years to the late Gail Walker. She is also preceded in death by a son, Tommy Harold Walker, two infant sons, James Dennis and Roger Wayne Walker, and a brother, Wallace Jenkins. Known as "Zorie" or "Meemaw" to many, she loved to entertain others with her stories, songs, and poems. She had been interviewed for and featured in numerous publications because of her knowledge of and amazing memory for traditional mountain music and folktales. She was also the author of many original works. With a generous spirit and an open heart, she treasured and cultivated many lifelong friendships. She often honored friends and family with the gift of one of her hand-crocheted afghans. Family was especially important to her. She cherished fond memories of growing up in Graham County in a loving home and family. She is survived by two brothers, Arnold Jenkins of Robbinsville and Carroll Jenkins of Charlotte, one sister, Betty Cantrell of Lafollette, TN, and a sister-in-law, Joyce Jenkins of Stecoah. A natural teacher, she instilled a love of learning in her children and grandchildren, and entertained and provided care for many other children, including several for whom she babysat as well as neighbors and friends of her children who were always welcome in her home. Her surviving children are Carolyn Hall and husband, Jimmie, of Bryson City, Johnny Walker and wife, Shirley, of Norris, TN, Janet Clapsaddle and husband, Mike, of Bryson City, Joan Myers and husband, John, of Asheville, and Connie Sutton and husband, Terry, of Bryson City. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Denise Warner Walker of Sylva. She bragged and doted on her grandchildren: Jason Clapsaddle of Lenoir, Mary Walker of Milwaukie, Oregon, Justin Clapsaddle of Murphy, JEB Hall of Bryson City, Ethan Clapsaddle of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Evan Clapsaddle of Whittier, Matthew Walker of Norris, TN, Jonathan Myers of Asheville, Mark Walker of Knoxville, TN, Laurie Bailey of Bryson City, and Cory Sutton, Maggie, and Gracie Sutton of Bryson City. Her positive influence now also extends to her fourteen great-grandchildren. Services include visitation at Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and memorial services at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where she was a member for many years, on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 11:00 AM.