Exene Phillips Walker

Exene Phillips Walker traveled to her heavenly home Monday evening, Jan. 13, 2014.

She was born July 9, 1930, to the late Worth and Flavil Phillips in the Idlewild community of Ashe County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Emory Phillips, and a grandson, Casey Dale Walker.

After graduation from Fleetwood High School there, she continued her education at Mars Hill College, where she met her husband-to-be, Ed Walker of Hendersonville. They married on June 14, 1952.

Exene spent most of her active years assisting her husband in the operation of Walker Hardware Co. in Hendersonville. She served as bookkeeper and for 20 years as a representative for Southern Bell Telephone Co. in her office at the store.

She was a devout Christian. For many years, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. When the family moved to the northern part of Henderson County, she joined French Broad Baptist Church. For 25 years, she was a member there, serving in many capacities, including seven years as church treasurer. In addition, she worked on the Kitchen Committee, inventorying and purchasing supplies, and she relished her job on the Homecoming Committee.

In her later years, she joined Reformation Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville where she loved the pastor, the members, and the reverent order of worship.

Exene was a member of the Hendersonville Pilot Club during its existence. Her favorite activity other than spending time with her family and at her church was her membership in what she called the Friday Lunch Bunch, a group of some of her best friends who met for lunch while their husbands attended Lions Club meetings

She is survived by her husband Ed, her four children (Brenda Gorsuch, husband Jeffery; Barbara Walker; Lou Anne O'Hara, husband Patrick; and Phillip Walker, wife Patricia), her sister Evelyn Bond, husband Scott, and their son, Eric. Other survivors include her seven grandchildren (Stephanie Parker, husband Shawn; Caitilin O'Hara; Rachel Hydrick, husband Eric; James Gorsuch; Candace Walker; Edmond Walker; and Johnathan Walker) and her two great grandchildren (Abby and Roman Parker).

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, at Reformation Presbyterian Church with her pastor, the Reverend Matt Lucas, officiating, assisted by the Reverend Kemuel Pruitt of French Broad Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the funeral service. The family will hold a private burial service in the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Reformation Presbyterian Church, 120 Seventh Ave. W., Hendersonville, N.C. 28792.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.