ROCKY MOUNT – Herbert Ray Walker, Sr., 68, of Whitakers, NC, died on March 30, 2008. He was born August 6, 1939 to the late James Franklin and Virginia Carroll Walker of Rocky Mount. He graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High in 1957 and was a member of the planning committee for many of their reunions. He married Alma Langley of Rocky Mount and together they raised four children. He worked for Brewer Paint Company until 1985, when he started his own business, Walker Paint Company, Inc. He served as President of the East Carolina Chapter of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and was Carolina’s Council Member-of-the-Year in 1999. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family, camping at Kerr Lake, teaching people to water-ski, and socializing with family and friends. February always found Ray with family and friends heading to Rockingham stating “there is no ham like Rockingham”! Ray rarely went anywhere in the world that he didn’t encounter someone he knew.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Alma Langley Walker; sons, Herbert Ray Walker, Jr. of Rocky Mount, Michael Lynn Walker of Battleboro, Randall Craig Walker and wife, Sandra of Whitakers; and daughter, Jennifer Walker duPont and husband, Richard of Bailey; granddaughters, Sandra Walker Coffield and husband, Brandon of Ayden, Kristi Walker Woodruff and husband, John of Nashville, Amber Raye Walker of Rocky Mount, Samantha Jo Walker and Holly Dee Walker of Whitakers, Ashlynde Rayne duPont and Analeigh Rose duPont of Bailey; great-grandsons, Braxton, Shane and Wade Coffield and Van Woodruff; brothers, Jimmy Franklin Walker and wife, Jo Carol, George “Rudy” Walker and wife, Eileen; aunts, Louise Carroll Mitchell, Thelma Walker Edwards, Leona Walker Barnes, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Wayne Walker.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Coggin and Rev. Richard Walker officiating, followed by a graveside service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. There was a visitation from 12:30 – 1:30 prior to the service. The family received friends at their home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Relay for Life or the American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Park, Suite 10, Raleigh, NC 27615. Contact Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home for more information.

Arrangements by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Condolences may be sent to the Walker family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.

Paid obituary