Rev. Maynard Rolly Walker
Reverend Maynard Rolly Walker was born on May 5, 1938, in De-Quincy, Louisiana to Maynard Matthew Walker and Nell Warren Walker. Rolly peacefully went to Heaven at the earthly age of 84 on Sunday, February 19, 2023, with his wife Johnnie Lou Walker by his side.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, February 24, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston. Reverend Doug de Graffenried will officiate under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Interment will be at Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston following the service.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. at Trinity UMC in Ruston.
Rolly was a graduate of DeQuincy High School and McNeese State University with an undergraduate degree in education and master’s degree in counseling. Later, Rolly would graduate from The Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University with a master’s degree in theology. He was also ordained in the United Methodist Church as both a Deacon and an Elder.
Rolly married Johnnie Lou Lipscomb of Ponchatoula in June of 1969. Together they had three children, twin sons Matthew Rolly Walker and Scott Collins Walker, and a daughter, Whitney Anne Walker Chandler.
During his years as an educator, he would teach algebra and geometry and coach football, basketball, and track. His coaching career included stops at Lake Charles High School, Barbe High School, Alexandria Senior High, and his beloved DeQuincy High School.
Rolly was later called into the ministry and faithfully served a number of churches, including the Boyce charge in Alexandria, Lakewood Drive UMC in Dallas, Texas, Waples Memorial UMC in Denison, Texas, and Trinity UMC in Ruston. After “retiring,” he would serve Alabama Presbyterian Church in Sibley, and Douglas UMC in Douglas.
Rolly was honored to receive the J. Henry Bowden Preaching Award in 1999 in recognition of Outstanding Preaching on Moral Issues by the Louisiana Moral & Civic Foundation. He was also honored to receive the 2016 Distinguished Person Award for Superior and Extraordinary Qualities and Service in the Fields of Education and Ministry presented by the DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce.
Rolly loved the people in each congregation that he served and more than anything he loved being a shepherd for Jesus Christ and sharing the love of God with whomever he met.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard Matthew Walker and Nell Warren Walker; and his brother, Thomas Warren Walker.
Rolly is survived by his wife Johnnie Lou Walker and their three children, son Matthew Rolly Walker and wife Barbara of West Monroe, son Scott Collins Walker and wife Buffy of Ruston, and daughter Whitney Anne Walker Chandler and husband David of Frisco, Texas.
He is also survived by six grandchildren, Alyssa Walker Kutchenriter and husband Cameron of DeRidder, Austin Rolly Walker of West Monroe, Gabriel Rolly Walker and Collins Raymond Walker of Ruston, and Caroline Grace Chandler and Carter Walker Chandler of Frisco, Texas; and two great grandchildren, Tad Mitchell Kutchenriter and Tilly Anne Kutchenriter of DeRidder. He is also survived by one nephew, Chad Warren Walker and one niece, Tracy Colleen Walker Odom. Finally, Rolly is survived by numerous Walker Family cousins.
The Walker Family would like to thank all who reached out in support of their family for their love and their prayers during the past year. They would also like to express their gratitude to Dr. Shane Phillips, Alpine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Premiere Hospice for their care. And a special thank you to Mr. Mike Charles Williams for the care he provided.
Pallbearers will be Austin Rolly Walker, Gabriel Rolly Walker, Collins Raymond Walker, Carter Walker Chandler, Cameron Kutchenriter, and Billy Kellogg.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the Walker Family asks that you follow one of Rolly’s favorite teachings and “Pass Love Along.”
