Hattie E. Walker

Hattie Elizabeth Hodge Walker was the third child of 4 children of the union of the late Gurtle and Carrie Eliott Hodge on June 5, 1924 in Plumroy, Ohio. At the age of 6 years old the family moved to Farmington, West Virginia. Hattie graduated high school from Fairmont High in Farmington.

Hattie was introduced to the love of her life Robert Early Walker Sr. (affectionately known as Early) and was married at the age of 17. They married on July 2, 1943 after receiving permission from her parents, Gurtle and Carrie Hodge to take her hand in marriage. Before they had children of their own, they made a sacrifice to care for a young niece, Rose Agnes Stepp, who later married Jimmie Lee Raines. They also took care of two godchildren, Ada Mae Raines and Johnnie Lee Raines. Hattie loved children, loved family and enjoyed having her family around her. Hattie loved plants, pottery, and ceramics. Hattie had a green thumb and great potential as an artist.

Hattie had an intimate relationship with Jesus from an early age. She joined the Triumph Church of Holiness of Holiness located 1536 Webster Avenue, Pittsburgh , PA founded by Mother Virginia Cook.Hattie was a faithful member of Triumph Church until it closed in the late 1980s. Hattie was the church secretary and a member of the "Four Queens of Air" singing quartet. She would lead the song "On the Battlefield for my Lord." the lyric, I promised Him that I would serve Him all the way, then I took my master's hand and I joined the Christian Band. I'm on the Battlefield for my Lord" is the part of the song that brought her the most comfort and joy.

Hattie moved from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, MD to stay with her son and daughter in April of 2016. In December of 2016 right after Christmas Hattie fell and was hospitalized for a short time. She was readmitted to the hospital in January 2017 due to an infection that weakened her body but not her spirit. Hattie was a fighter, a strong, proud black woman yet she was not able to regain her strength.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Louise Stepp, Sadie Wells, Alma Ruth Eason, Logan Hodge and Robert Lee Hodge.

On Friday December 14, 2017 6:30 A.M. at Seasons Hospice Care Facility, Hattie answered the call of Jesus, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." She leaves to cherish her memory her children Robert Early Jr. (Denise), David Lee and MArie (Rick Garrett); seven grandchildren: Hasan L., Jamahl R., Terry Downey, David L., Jr., Rhonda L., Michael Downey, and James Bulls; 13 great grandchildren; JAmahl R. JR., Jordan Robert, Autumn Rayne, Jaden Benjamin, Ryan Russell, Makayla L., Micah L. Walker-Brown, Cayden Michael, Finleigh McCoy Downey, James Xavier Bulls, 2 sisters-in-law Anne Mae Walker and Lillie Mae Walker both of Detroit Michigan and a host of nieces, nephews relatives and friends.