Genita Alice Jamison was born on Friday, August 30, 1929, to Robert and Janie Jamison (nee Coleman) in Hoffman, Oklahoma. One of 7 children, Genita had three brothers, Pat, Toss, and Man, and three sisters, Baby, Victoria, and Joyce. During the historic, “Second Great Migration” of the 1940s, the Jamison Family, like a great many others, relocated to the Los Angeles, California area, in search of new opportunities and franchisement.  They decided to settle in a small town known as “El Centro” where Genita and her siblings were raised, she eventually graduated from Douglas High School and later retired early from the United States Postal Service.

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Genita was known to push the envelope. Not allowing the era in which she was born to be a barrier to her progress, she accomplished more than was expected of a young Black woman, born in the 20s.  She traveled the world, having visited every continent, save Antarctica and Australia; faithfully served in ministry to God; adopted children, hosted foreign exchange students, raised grandchildren, and mentored single mothers; in addition to maintaining a thriving household and fostering a loving marriage. Genita poured into everyone she met. A caring and free-spirited woman, who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, she was a very social person, never having met a stranger or person she wouldn’t strike up a conversation with. She loved people and people loved her! 

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In the mid-1950s, Genita married Edmound Henderson, and in the fall of 1961, they welcomed home their beautiful baby girl, Pamela Henderson. Genita remarried in the early 1970s, to Kermit Walker, who was the lasting love of her life. In service to God, Genita and their now blended family joined Bryant Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. V.L. Brenson. When asked where she desired to work in the church, she eagerly replied, “With the young people!” She went right to work in the Sunday School Department, always going above and beyond the call of duty, she quickly became known for her creative talents, organizational skills, event planning, and being a stellar cook. If you wanted a well-planned, put-together program, you called on Sis. Walker. In fact, Genita was an excellent seamstress, she loved baseball, and enjoyed gardening (her roses being her pride and joy). 

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The Walkers lived “more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus…. Because the Lord had richly blessed them indeed”, they made a joint decision to open their hearts and their home to two of their grandchildren, Nicole Augustine and Erika Patton, who they raised as their own. Shortly after (the late 1980s), they moved the family from Inglewood, California to Edmond, Oklahoma. Remembering Genita’s fighting spirit, defying cultural odds, and in an effort to provide the best educational opportunities, they integrated this new family into an affluent neighborhood, moving into their new custom-built home. This home quickly became a hub for all families, a refuge for children, and a resting place for tired moms to receive unconditional love, guidance, and support; also, pool parties for the kids, the best food, and continuing tradition started in California of loading up the RV for our annual summer road trips! She was a mother to many...

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Genita and her family continued in service to the Lord at Avery Chapel AME, under the leadership of the late Rev. Leodis Strong, and just as she did at her previous church home, she went right to work with the Sunday School Department and the Youth Department.  Here again, Genita was a superstar! She was known for putting on the best church program, throwing the finest parties, and for her keen sense of fashion, grace, class, and style.

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Genita’s health took a turn in 2015 when she was diagnosed with Dementia; at which time she transitioned to Charlotte, NC, where she received the loving, devoted care of her two granddaughters whom she raised, Nicole and Erika. Some of the fondest memories of that time were the countless conversations, taking videos/pictures/selfies, game nights, her unbridled humor, several birthday celebrations, and many holidays spending time with “Granny.”  She will be missed for her sass and pizazz, her dedication to excellence in all that she did, and how she instilled even higher standards, values, and ethics in us. 

 

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, Genita Alice Walker (nee Jamison) transitioned from this life, after living a life filled with travel, love, friends, and service to God. 

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Genita is preceded in death by her parents: Robert and Janie Jamison; her siblings: Robert L. Jamison (Pat), Isaac R. Jamison (Toss), Paratha D. Jamison (Man), and Opearline King (Baby); and her one true love: Kermit Walker Sr.,(children by marriage) Iris (Walker) Fisher and Sandra (Walker) James (daughters), Son Kermit Walker Jr. She is survived by her daughter: Pamela Henderson; devoted granddaughters: Nicole Augustine and Erika Patton; adoring sisters: Victoria M. Vernon and Joyce E. Jones; and beautiful grandchildren Ingrid Pinkett, Kristen (Lucas) Smith, Lizette (Walker) Junor, Leslie (James) Morrisette, Taryn James and Kermit Walker III, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. 

Praise God for a life well-lived, a heart full of love, and a soldier of the cross now at rest!