Rosemary P. Walker was born on May 4, 1927 in Ripley County Missouri to the late Rev. Sam W. Pulliam and Georgia Ethel Cox Pulliam and passed away on February 24, 2022 at the age of 94.
She attended elementary school in Oxley, MO and Essex, MO before moving with her family to Bloomfield in 1941 where she graduated from Bloomfield High School with the Class of 1944. She attended college at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College for 2 ½ years and after earning a temporary teacher’s certificate, she began teaching typing and English at Bernie High School at the young age of 19. She returned to college during the summer terms to complete her education degree.
On May 28, 1950, she united in marriage to James Walker in Hornersville, Missouri. They shared 53 years together until the time of his death in 2004.
In 1952, Rosemary began teaching what she loved - high school business classes at Bloomfield High School. She spent the next 30 plus years teaching typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and secretarial practice. Her greatest pleasure in education came from watching the students in her secretarial practice class move on to good jobs or take their skills to college. Among her most memorable achievements during her years at BHS was establishing the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization with fellow business teacher Bill Wallace. Rosemary’s dedication to her career and her students is a legacy among those who were privileged to sit in her classroom.
Rosemary was a faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, MO for over 70 years. She served in numerous capacities some of which included pianist/organist, choir leader, Administrative Council member, United Methodist Women, and Sunday School teacher. She was pleased to be instrumental and participate in the planning of the construction of the church’s current facilities in hope that the church would continue to be a vital part of the Bloomfield community.
After retiring from education, she obtained her realtor license and worked for Frank Sifford Real Estate in Bloomfield for several years. She was a charter board member of the Stoddard County Children’s home, delivered Meals on Wheels and worked diligently to promote progress in the Bloomfield community and school district.
She formed lifelong friendships while playing bridge with a special group of ladies. She was an avid reader, enjoyed working crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, watching Jeopardy and St Louis Cardinal baseball.
Her life mantra was “Let me do all the good I can….To all the people I can….As often as I can…..for I shall not pass this way again.”
She left a legacy of love to her daughter, Jamie Jackson (Ken) of Dexter, Missouri and wonderful memories to two grandsons, Ryan Walker Jackson (Ashley) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Aaron Matthew Jackson (Whitney) of Jefferson City, Missouri. Four great-grandchildren, Ellie Ann, Kate Elizabeth, Emmy Rose and Luke Walker also brought her much joy.
Rosemary shared a strong family bond with her sister, Lillian Shublom of Kansas City, Kansas and her late brother, George Edwin Pulliam. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Frances Pulliam, of Bernie, Missouri and a brother-in-law, Wayne Walker, of Columbia, Missouri. Numerous nieces and nephews have also been beneficiaries of her love and support. She was preceded by two brothers, Earl Samuel and Joe Carl, who died in early childhood.
Visitation will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Steve Koerner and Rev. Geoff Posegate officiating. Burial will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 302, Bloomfield, MO 63825; Stars and Stripes Museum, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825; or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
