EULOGY – CHARLES CLENDELL WALKER

BY:  RAPHAEL SCOTT WALDROP

I want to apologize to my family, Pastors McCullum and Parker, because I do not believe there is one among us today that can encapsulate the life of Charles Walker in the few moments we have together.   Suffice it to say, his was an extraordinary life.  I was worried about what to say, what to include, but I was reminded of what God told Moses when he said, “Don’t worry about what you are going to say in that hour, just open your mouth and I will speak for you.” (paraphrased).

I have been praying that God would give me words to do my father-in-law justice and it was only after reading a few passages from his book, that those words were given to me.  I think that all of you would agree, and I believe it to be so, that if you leave knowing one thing about Charles Walker today it should be that he loved God and loved his wife of 63 years.  And if you know Deloris Walker you understand how Charles was successful in life. If it had not been for Deloris, Charles would tell you that he would have never made it.   He told me on more than one occasion that Deloris was the most beautiful, smartest woman he had ever met and that he always knew he would marry her and although he tested her patience, fortunately for us all, she agreed to marry him.   I hope Deloris doesn’t mind me talking about the swimsuit photo but Charles had a beautiful picture of Mrs. Walker in a swimsuit.  He was so proud of that picture because of course Deloris was stunning.  But he also told me while holding that picture that her beauty had nothing to do with his decision to marry her.  I expected him to say that he had received a sign from God or simply as he wrote, his mother had advised him to follow his heart but no, he would explain it had nothing to do with any of that at all but rather that she cooked the best steak he had ever eaten. Charles may have been one of the most successful insurance salesmen that ever lived but he also could have been a comedian.   Yes, as I attempted to narrow the extensive lists of his many accomplishments, examples of his amazing business acumen, his love of travel and he and Deloris traveled internationally, his love of Disney World, his love of family, his children Cha, Chan, and Chase, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren and believe me there are many, many stories that could be told but we all have our own stories about Mr. Charlie.  You know, I was a little nervous the first time I met him officially.  Chan and I were dating and I was summoned to his office where he was sitting behind this big desk.   Like most people, I knew of him and the Checker Hall partly because of a big sign that read “Welcome to Petal Home of the International Checker Hall of Fame” and because of the bus tours of children from area schools that would tour the museum, and although there were probably many questions on his mind to ask me in his office that day we first met and perhaps I remember a few of them, but what I will never forget was that he began by asking me if I was a Christian and I don’t even think he heard my response but he immediately shared his testimony and prayed for me.  That I will never forget.  And to all of you here that have perhaps benefited from his council, I am here to tell you that the best story to be told of Charles Walker is not about his unapproachable sales records or the fact that he helped to build this church which started in the home across the street or the many other churches he helped to build; over 40 congregations have met in the Checker Hall over the years; or the hundreds of revivals in which he led the music, churches in which he led music here and abroad, but rather the greatest story would be of his Christian example - the greatest story would be about his love of God and how God used his life to bring countless people to His kingdom.  In Hebrews, we read that “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Charles loved to sing.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  Truly, Charles was pleasing to God. Think of the hundreds and hundreds of people that he has helped become successful in  life, the people that he has provided for, Pastor McCullum, how does it go, “If I can help someone along the way, then my living will not have been in vain.”  I have watched Charles Walker year in and year out faithfully provide Christmas and a celebration of Christ in the Checker Hall across the street and there would be families from all over that would bring their children and receive food and gifts and prayer, always prayer.  And on the word of prayer, in all of the time that I have known Charles Walker, he has prayed.  We never sat down as a family in fellowship that we did not pray.  I’ve been in a car with him going through the Wards’ drive-thru on my way to take him to Timothy Lane to get a haircut and he would ask me to pull over in the parking lot so we could bless the hotdogs because you see Charles was always so thankful for all that God provided him and was never upset or mad nor really disappointed when God would take things away because Charles always explained that whatever was to be was God’s will for him and his family.  He never questioned God.

Many of God’s servants suffered greatly in their lives, were faced with almost insurmountable obstacles and challenges, many have been chastised, lied to and cheated, stolen from, ostracized, and many because of their decisions, perhaps mistakes, and we all make mistakes, were made to answer to God.  Even Moses, Pastor McCullum, chosen by God, was not allowed to cross the River Jordan into Canaan but yet was taken up by God to sit at His feet on high in His Kingdom.  I believe that all Charles accomplished and all that he was able to provide for so many was in God’s plan for his life.  You see God allowed Charles to do all of the things he wanted to do, allowed him to be highly successful in business, travel and peruse his love of checkers but all of that was in His service because there was not one endeavor in his life that was not anchored in his love of God and desire to help others. 

Today we are gathered here in this house of God to celebrate his servant, to remember a great man, a great husband, a great father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.  I leave you today with his words which are printed on the program that I hope you take with you today:

“The only concern you or I should have is to make sure we belong to Christ.  If our answer is “Praise God, YES”, we have the greatest protector we will ever need to see us through difficult times.”  Charles wrote, “Can you imagine living a carefree life for eternity with Christ?  We are going to have an adventure that defies the imagination!” (Doesn’t that sound like Charles)? We are going to live in an indestructible body with no pain, sickness or concerns, Pastor Parker. So friends, Charles wrote, let’s pray, praise and thank the
Lord because our future is secure through the saving grace of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.” 

Thank you, Charles, for your example and your love.  God bless our family and God bless each of you.