Julia Ashby Walker
Age 80, a resident of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, December 23, 2023 in Sherwood, Arkansas, with her family by her side. She was born November 8, 1943 in Corinth, Mississippi, the daughter of Jim and Mae (Reid) Ashby.
Everyone who knew Judy would agree that she was the quintessential “Southern Lady,” in fact, her innermost circle of lifelong friends call themselves “The Magnolias.” She was a member of St. Philip Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee for over 30 years, where she served on the Altar Guild and made many close friends. She worked at Orgill Brothers in Memphis and also the Arkansas Food Bank after moving to Little Rock. Judy enjoyed playing cards, was a voracious reader, she excelled as an artist with oil painting, and taught painting classes for many years. She was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Judy was a talented floral designer, a passion that led her to eventually pursue her certification as a member of the National Flower Show Judges Council. She was also an active member of Designing Women Floral Group and the Memphis Botanical Society. Judy had a love for antiques and spent many years traveling to New England with her husband searching for treasures to collect, gift, or sell. After moving to Prairie Grove to be closer to family, she enjoyed being a member of the Prairie Grove Bookies Book Club and attended Prairie Grove United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Henry (Hank) Walker, who was her high school sweetheart and later married in 1962. She was also preceded by two brothers Benny Ashby and Max Allen.
Judy is survived by two children Allison Tennant and husband Jason of Berryville, Arkansas, and Christopher Walker and wife Jill of Cabot, Arkansas, five adoring grandchildren Ashley Tennant, Katherine Hollowell and husband Zack, Andrew Tennant and wife Laci, Reid Walker and Regan Walker. She was a proud Great Grandmother "Nana" to Owen and Brody Tennant, William, Everett and Vivianne Hollowell. Also surviving her are two sisters Millie Garlington of Houston, Texas, and Janice Bintz and husband Al of Knoxville, Tennessee, three sisters-in-law Juanita Volz, Diane Turk, and Terry Spacek, who was her loving caregiver. Judy also leaves behind a faithful and beloved companion, her dog Sophie.
Visitation and informal memorial will be held at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove - Wednesday, January 3rd 4:00-5:00 p.m. Funeral service with burial will be held at St. Philip Episcopal Church in Memphis at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, which was the anniversary of the date she and Hank were married in 1962.
Memorial Gifts may be made: St. Philip Episcopal Church Altar Flower Guild – 9380 Davies Plantation Road, Memphis, TN 38133 or
Prairie Grove United Methodist Church-We Feed People Ministry- Post Office Box 856, Prairie Grove, AR 72753 - online at https://pgmethodist.breezechms.com/give/online