In Memory of Glenda C. Walker (1933-2020)
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Glenda C. Walker who died on Feb 12, 2020, at the age of 86.
Glenda was born on June 13, 1933 in Branchville, NJ. She graduated high school in 1951, following which she joined the Air Force in 1953. She then received a Bachelor of Arts in Experimental Psychology in 1979; and Master of Social Work in Counseling in 1981; both from the University of Oklahoma. Subsequently, Glenda worked for the University of Oklahoma, where she undertook various positions: as Peake People (1981-1982), as an Administrative Secretary (1982-1984), and as an Information Processor (1984-1985). Afterward, she served as a Student Clerk, Student Field Placement, Youth Group Facilitator and Assistant to Minister, at the Harvard Divinity School, before discerning her call to ministry. Later in 1990, Glenda earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.
Rev. Walker was ordained on June 17, 1990 by All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, OK, where she carried out her ministerial internship from 1988 to 1989. Following her ordination, she was called to the First Unitarian Church of Wausau, WI, where she served the congregation for a decade (1990 to 2000) and retired on June 13, 2000. Soon after her retirement, on November 19, 2000, the Wausau congregation honored Rev. Walker as their minister emeritus.
In addition to her parish ministry, Rev. Walker served several denominational boards and committees including the Central Midwest District (CMD) Extension Committee, and the CMD Ministers’ Association Nomination Committee. In 1989, she was student liaison for the Ministerial Fellowship Committee.
Rev. Walker provided her services to various community organizations. She served the Sexual Harassment Council of the University of Oklahoma (1984-1985); and the Steering Committee of several community organizations, some of which include: Aids Memorial Service, Tulsa, OK (1989); Interfaith Choice Luncheon, Tulsa, OK (1989); and Interfaith Breakfast on Infant Mortality Issues, Tulsa, OK (1989). She was on the community board for the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Institutional Review Committee, Alliance for Mentally Ill, and North Central Health Care Community Coordination Committee.
Rev. Walker was also one of the first three honorees of YWCA, Women of Vision in 1993. In her spare time, she enjoyed walking, reading, movies, and hanging out with friends.
Rev. Walker is survived by her daughter Holly Jewell; niece Kathleen Brown; nephew Gregory Limon; as well as many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Jean Walker, and her sisters, Eileen Walker and June Woodcock.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wausau, WI.
A memorial service was held at 11 am on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau, 504 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403.
Notes of condolences may be sent to the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau, 504 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403; Attn: The Friends and Family of Glenda Walker.
Additional information may be found at the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association.