January 19, 1935 – October 15, 2020
Dorothy Louise Walker (maiden name Rogers) was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dorothy was the only child from the marriage of Rev. Lewis L. Rogers and Mrs. Bennie Tooson Rogers. As a “preacher’s kid” Dorothy committed her life to God early and continued that devotion throughout her earthly years. She graduated from Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, and later went on to study Home Economics from Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). Dorothy and her family valued education, and utilized it as an essential tool for herself and her family’s upward mobility while growing up in the segregated south. (Her emphasis on education continued with her children as several went on to further education at Tuskegee.)
At Tuskegee, Dorothy met the love of her life, James Alvin Walker (“Pops”), who called her “Dot,” and later remained married over 65 years— joining in wedlock on February 1, 1955. After leaving Tuskegee they lived in Texas City, TX while James was in the military and they together began a family. They both eventually settled in Denver, Colorado where Dorothy worked in retail for several years and later helped form the family owned and operated J.A. Walker Company. There Dot managed the money as its treasurer & financial secretary. Whenever she went to the bank to conduct business, she would often tease everyone saying, “I will be back when I’m done shopping.” She loved to shop and had exquisite taste in both clothing, jewelry, and household belongings.
Dorothy loved her family and made supporting them her top priority. She had a unique love for her children—masterfully balancing both maternal love and no nonsense or “tough love.” Though she operated off the saying, “blood is thicker than water,” Dorothy was always willing to share whatever she had with anyone in need. She was an amazing cook—often preparing southern style Sunday dinners for the family after church. She remained committed to her faith in God, and raised her children in the church with God’s word at the center of their upbringing. She was a longtime member of Scott United Methodist Church where she was actively involved in the United Methodist Women’s group for many years.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Bert Rogers (Eloise), Ron Seay (Belinda), Derrick (Michelle), James Anthony (Deidra), Belinda, and Jomo Nkrumah; along with 12 grandkids: Michele, Bert Jr., Nicolas (Jamie), Joaquin (Sarah), Japera (Dustin), DeAndrea, Jamilia, Jaron, Ronald II (Susan), Tamica, and DeJanee. Also surviving her are 18 great grandkids: Adili, Amani, Aisha, Aliyah, Amira, Akilah, Anisa, Nevaeh, Ethan, Gabriella, Chance Anderson, Ezekiel, Braeya, Sterling, Nadia, Naomi, Bertram III, Isiah Rogers; and a host of nephews, nieces, other family members, and her dog Smedley. (Preceeding her in death is her husband James Alvin Walker, her parents, and grandmother Hattie Tooson.)
