Norma Jane Walker was born Norma Jane Watson on August 16, 1934, at home in Barry, Texas (Navarro County) to Lois Pearl and James Carl Watson. At the time, her father, JC, was a teacher and principal at Barry High School. A few years later, the family moved to Corsicana, Texas where her father was the Navarro County School Superintendent for 34 years. Her sister, Nina, was born in 1941.
In 1951, at the age of 16, Jane graduated from Corsicana High School. She excelled in academics and participated in numerous school plays. Jane attended Navarro Junior College where many years later she received a distinguished alumnus award. In 1954, just 3 months shy of her 20th birthday, she earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Baylor University. Jane was a lifetime Baylor supporter and would talk Baylor with anyone, even her family and friends that may have been Longhorns or Aggies. When she moved to Irving, Texas for her first teaching job, her mother had to sign the application for her Dallas Public Library card, because she was still too young to have her own library card.
Jane married George Beverly Walker, II in 1959 and their son, George B. Walker, III (known to family and friends as III) was born in Austin, Texas on September 19, 1961. Her son, III, passed away on April 2, 2006.
Jane, who came from a long line of educators including her sister, uncles, aunts, and father, spent an outstanding career in Education. She taught in public schools in Texas, Oregon, and California. Later she taught at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and was the first faculty member for the Texas A&M Commerce program at Navarro College. She earned her Ph.D. degree from East Texas State University in Commerce. Jane also served as the Director of Special Education for the Ennis, Texas ISD. She was an advocate for at-risk children in Navarro County.
Throughout her life, Jane had a passion for reading. She loved gifting her nieces and grand nieces and nephews with books of all kinds. Jane was skilled at many embroidery arts and gave beautiful handmade gifts to friends and family.
In 2016, Jane moved from Corsicana to Bryan Texas to be near family, and she resided there until her death. She lived at the Carriage Inn, was active in numerous resident activities and served as the resident council president.
Jane leaves her sister Nina Deskin (Ron), niece Susan Diane Deskin of Tucson AZ, niece Jennifer Elizabeth Faulkner (Bryan) of College Station, grand nieces, Peyton and Quinn Faulkner, and grand nephews, Sam and Kyle Faulkner. She had many friends in and around Corsicana and Ennis. Throughout her life, Jane had a special group of childhood friends, known as, The Bridesmaids. The Bridesmaids, who all served in each other’s wedding ceremonies, had a lifelong special bond, and often traveled together.
Jane gave her life to Jesus at First Baptist Church in Corsicana at an early age and was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for much of her adult life.
There will be a celebration of Jane’s life on January 7, 2023, 11:00 am at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 312 N. 13th St., Corsicana, TX. A reception will follow at the same location.
Memorial donations may be given to Memorial Giving, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105
Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home.
In 1951, at the age of 16, Jane graduated from Corsicana High School. She excelled in academics and participated in numerous school plays. Jane attended Navarro Junior College where many years later she received a distinguished alumnus award. In 1954, just 3 months shy of her 20th birthday, she earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Baylor University. Jane was a lifetime Baylor supporter and would talk Baylor with anyone, even her family and friends that may have been Longhorns or Aggies. When she moved to Irving, Texas for her first teaching job, her mother had to sign the application for her Dallas Public Library card, because she was still too young to have her own library card.
Jane married George Beverly Walker, II in 1959 and their son, George B. Walker, III (known to family and friends as III) was born in Austin, Texas on September 19, 1961. Her son, III, passed away on April 2, 2006.
Jane, who came from a long line of educators including her sister, uncles, aunts, and father, spent an outstanding career in Education. She taught in public schools in Texas, Oregon, and California. Later she taught at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and was the first faculty member for the Texas A&M Commerce program at Navarro College. She earned her Ph.D. degree from East Texas State University in Commerce. Jane also served as the Director of Special Education for the Ennis, Texas ISD. She was an advocate for at-risk children in Navarro County.
Throughout her life, Jane had a passion for reading. She loved gifting her nieces and grand nieces and nephews with books of all kinds. Jane was skilled at many embroidery arts and gave beautiful handmade gifts to friends and family.
In 2016, Jane moved from Corsicana to Bryan Texas to be near family, and she resided there until her death. She lived at the Carriage Inn, was active in numerous resident activities and served as the resident council president.
Jane leaves her sister Nina Deskin (Ron), niece Susan Diane Deskin of Tucson AZ, niece Jennifer Elizabeth Faulkner (Bryan) of College Station, grand nieces, Peyton and Quinn Faulkner, and grand nephews, Sam and Kyle Faulkner. She had many friends in and around Corsicana and Ennis. Throughout her life, Jane had a special group of childhood friends, known as, The Bridesmaids. The Bridesmaids, who all served in each other’s wedding ceremonies, had a lifelong special bond, and often traveled together.
Jane gave her life to Jesus at First Baptist Church in Corsicana at an early age and was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for much of her adult life.
There will be a celebration of Jane’s life on January 7, 2023, 11:00 am at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 312 N. 13th St., Corsicana, TX. A reception will follow at the same location.
Memorial donations may be given to Memorial Giving, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105
Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home.