Ethel Mae Walker was born on July 3, 1951 to Agnes Bell and Sidney Ford in Gary, Indiana.  She was a very loving child and friend.  Ethel was very active while in high school by participating and excelling in track and field. As a result of her many track awards she was one of few athletes chosen from Kennett to compete in track events held in Orlando, Florida.  She graduated by Kennett High School in 1969.  Later, she worked for 35 years at Federal Mogul in Malden, Missouri as a Shop Steward.

Ethel cherished her relationship with God. She was a faithful and active member of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church her whole live until her health began to fail.  As a member of St. John AME, she served on the trustee board, choir, hospitality committee, missionary society, Sunday school teacher, janitor (when needed), as well as serving in any other capacity that required assistance.  St. John AME’s annual BBQ fundraiser was always a huge success due to Ethel’s leadership, ticket sales, and relationship with the community over the years. Additionally, Ethel delivered lunch plates from the Kennett Community Center to senior citizens who were unable to do so themselves.  Ethel was a loved and revered citizen of Kennett.

Ethel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 40 years Kenneth Walker; grandmother Ethel Mae Jones; parents Agnes Bell and Sidney Ford; 3 brothers Ronald Lee Ford, Larry Darnell Ford and Ray Charles Ford.

Ethel leaves to cherish her precious memory her sisters Alice Ford and Yolanda Maduro(Walden); her brother Ricky Ford, nieces Crystle Booker, Mijah Maduro,and Alicia Robinson; nephews Darrell Sorrells, and Jalahni Maduro; Step son Christopher Walker and a host of beloved family and friends.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Kennett, Missouri with Funeral Service immediately following at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel.