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Lynette Weaver Walker Allen passed away one month shy of her 101 birthday. Known as an independent adventurist, she was beloved by hundreds of former students, friends, and family. Born August 14, 1921, the third of five children in the Lynn Grove, Texas home of Roy S. Weaver and Lela Weaver, she outlived all her siblings. She graduated from Navasota High School and Southwestern University with a Spanish major. Soon after graduation, she married Elton Wilson Walker of Livingston, Texas with whom she had two sons, John and Cornel.
When that marriage ended in 1954, she and her two boys moved to Lufkin, Texas. She commuted to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas earning a MA in counseling while teaching 4th-grade students, many of whom continued to love and admire her for decades. Those students continued to send her flowers, treasured books, and loving letters preceding her death.
In 1962 she moved to Universal City, Texas to accept a counseling position at Randolph High School. As with her Lufkin students, she was loved by hundreds many of whom attributed their success following their high school graduation to her wise and caring counsel, and who continued to send her flowers and letters for decades.
Following retirement, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, and, during summers, served as a hostess at the YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park, Colorado. At age 83 she married Craig Allen with whom she spent many happy years before his death. She continued to live in San Antonio for several months before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina to be close to her grandson Brad Walker and his family who provided warm and loving care for her. On her 100th birthday, she rode up and down the streets of Wilmington in the sidecar of Brad’s motorcycle. Six months later her health began to decline.
A lifelong learner, Lynette loved adventure and anything new. In all things cultural she reigned supreme: classical music, opera, the visual arts, literature, and etiquette. And yet her worldliness failed to dampen her innocence. Throughout her life, she remained as bright-beamed as a child, as frisky as a filly. She brightened every room she entered. She was a superb listener who showed sincere concern and warmth for others. Her affability, geniality, and vivacity earned her hundreds of lifelong friends.
Lynette is survived by her son, John Walker and daughter-in-law Vicki Walker of Denver, NC; granddaughter Wende Whitus, husband Greg, and two great-granddaughters, Lori and Lindsey Whitus all of Charlotte, NC; grandson Brad Walker, wife Andrea and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Annie Walker, all of Wilmington, NC; son Cornel Walker and daughter-in-law Jane Stock of Fergus Falls, MN; grandson Stephen Walker, his partner Sarah Nagel and grandchild Brodie Raine Walker of Denton, TX; granddaughter Shannon Walker English and husband Steven English and two great-grandchildren, Walker and Eliza English of Pasadena, TX; step-granddaughter, Maria Steen and step-great-grandson Isaac Steen of Fergus Falls, MN; step-grandson, Charles Steen and wife Sammi and step-great-grandchildren Otis and Olive Steen of Framingham, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
Lynette had two church homes, Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, San Antonio, TX and Pine Valley United Methodist Church, Wilmington, NC. In lieu of flowers, she preferred memorials to be given to either of the following two organizations, Methodist Children’s Home https://www.mch.org/ or Laurel Heights Methodist https://www.laurelheights.org/give/
Prior to her death, Lynette wrote the following message:
If you are reading this I have passed away and made it to heaven. I want to thank you all for having such an impact on my life. Please do not grieve but rather celebrate that I was able to have such a long, blessed life with you all. Thank you all for being a part of my life. Love, Nan
From Cornel Walker:
Mother did often mention everyone at Randolph and she talked about how sweet you were. She also talked about the 100 Birthday cards she received from everyone at Randolph for her 100th Birthday.
Lynette was born in Navasota, TX and went to school in a 1 room school until she reached junior high school. She graduated from Navasota High School and was in All-State State Choir.. Mother attended and graduated from Southwestern University and obtained her master's in education and counseling at Stephen F. Austin. She is survived by her two sons and 4 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and hundreds of students she helped. Mother loved her interactions with her students.
Thank you.
Cornel Walker, '65
23316 Oakview Heights Drive
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
cornelwwalker@gmail.com
