Honoring the Life of Ms. Cleathel Walker

Honoring the Life of Ms. Cleathel Walker

Last weekend I attended the funeral services of Ms. Cleathel Walker, my mother’s godmother. She was a beautiful person who touched many lives, and the attendance at her services showed it.

She was an extremely classy lady. You can tell she had southern roots by the way she carried herself and cared for others. Southerners have a “special” way of caring for others that is amiss by city folk.

And the spirits of cooking and sewing were all over her. Gosh, I’m going to miss her spaghetti!

Let me tell you how amazing she was.

1. Non-family members found their way to Shelby, Mississippi. When I looked at the map, I couldn’t find it and neither could my GPS.

2. Her funeral services were held in a school gym because the church was too small. And the gym was packed. I’ll be honest, I want to go out like that!

3. She always traveled from Chicago to Texas to Mississippi to visit the places she called home. Most people only have one home.

4. She always stopped what she was doing to help others. I remember asking her to make a simple outfit for me for a Toastmasters presentation and she above what was needed. At least I can say I have a Ms. Walker’s original.

Life Lessons from Cleathel Walker

I really don’t think about my life until somebody dies. But here are a few lessons I learned from the life of Ms. Walker.

1. Treat others the way you want to be treated…or better

2. Live your life so others can see the Christ in you

3. Leave a positive mark on every life you touch. It could be as simple as a genuine compliment

4. Don’t put off tomorrow what you can finish today

5. Live each day as if it were your last

6. Bless others with your gifts and talents

Needless to say, Ms. Walker will greatly missed and never forgotten. Like many others, she left a mark on my life that can never be erased.