Charlene S Walker

Charlene (Charli) S. Walker was born on August 6, 1947 in Holly Grove, Arkansas. Charli departed this life on September 6, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her father, Toil Smith Sr., her mother, Mary C. Banks, her stepmother, Cleonia Smith and her brother, Toil Smith Jr.

Charli dedicated well over 30 years of her life to education. She worked for the Kansas City Public Schools, the Shawnee Mission Public Schools and the Benjamin Banneker Charter School system.

Charli loved kids! It was as though she drew energy from them. She loved on them whenever she could. Whether it was helping them get the resources they needed to be successful in class, getting safely to and from the bus or finding one in so much need of love and support that she would share her home with them through the foster care system. When she wasn't raising kids, she was socializing with her friends and family. She loved to socialize about everything! She'd ask about your family, about work and concerns of the day. Then came the best part; the laughing and the all-important gossip of the day! Rest assured, she knew the difference between harmless gossip and personal secrets. So, to all her friends, and you know who you are, your secrets are still safe with her. In her later years, her greatest joy was caring for her grandchildren. Whether it be it cheering them on at high school graduations, participating in grandparent’s day activities or taking orders from her youngest granddaughter; she enjoyed every single minute of it.

Charli will be remembered as a devoted mother, and a person that always put the needs of others above her own. She was quick to lend an ear, money, advice or a hug. She wanted nothing in return. She did it because she loved you. She was truly a gentle, loving and caring spirit.

Charli leaves to cherish her memories, three daughters, Sharai Walker, Aisha Williams and Laura Whittington (Robert); one son, Troy Walker (Leslie); two sisters, Corrine Chism and Sandra Rice (Phillip); one brother, Odie Smith (Liz); six grandkids, Skylar, Zinith, Dayla, Josephine, Sidney, Darius and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, aunts and friends.