Jolayne B. Walker passed peacefully from mortal life on Wednesday, May 15.
Born in the pre-WWII years, she was raised a hard-working farm girl in American Fork, Utah, and through her next 88.5 years, there never was a weed that was her match. She knew how to work and, by precept and example, ensured that her children did also.
She married Gordon “Lee” Walker in the Salt Lake Temple on Jan. 22, 1958, and she was a selfless, dedicated wife and mother ever after. Her complete devotion to family was always on display, including reading to her children, sewing, knitting, shopping, cooking, mending, consoling, healing, repairing, washing, baking, chauffeuring, cheering, weeping, volunteering, weeding, planting, working and loving.
Only very rarely did she sit for any passive entertainment; when she did, her hands were typically anxiously engaged in some creation or duty.
She was a very accomplished pianist and also learned to play the violin and accordion well. She likely could have made a career in music if she hadn’t instead devoted herself to family and other celestial pursuits. Still, she taught piano, organ and violin lessons to many youth, and imparted a love of good music to her children, along with the discipline and concentration that regular practice instills.
Jolayne held and magnified nearly every calling or assignment available to her in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including in Primary and Sunday School and as Seminary teacher; Relief Society and Primary president; temple worker; organist and accompanist; and was a faithful visiting teacher/ministering sister.
With Lee, she served two full-time missions; in the Illinois Peoria (1992-1993) and Australia Brisbane (2007-2009) missions; and at least two stake missions. She was also an active PTA member.
If she could be described in one word, it would be “charity.” To paraphrase Paul, she was kind and envied not, was never boastful or arrogant, while remaining proper and dignified; sought not her own, was not easily (and almost never) provoked, thought no evil, and rejoiced in truth and goodness and righteousness.
She stoically bore all things, believed firmly, hoped deeply, and endured staunchly as few others. A short list of other applicable adjectives includes meek, soft-spoken, unpretentious, unassuming, stalwart, faithful, modest, diligent and humble. She loved purely and gave her life in service to others.
She is survived by children, Kevin (Aina), Ken (Sydney), Mishaun Lancaster (Rollin), Sandy Robinson, and Tim (Jen); along with 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren … all of whose birthdays she remembered until her final year of life.
She goes to meet her father and mother, Edwin Ross and Detta Olivia Buckwalter; sisters, Barbara and Kathleen; brother, Ross; son-in-law, Rollin; granddaughter, Aimee; and great-granddaughter, Aria.
Services took place at the Levan chapel, 25 No. 100 E., Levan, Utah. Visitation was at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, and again at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 20, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m.
Mom, your lifelong yearning was for home. You’ve finally returned there.
