Sarah Jo Walker, 82, of Dunlap, Tennessee, died on Thursday, July 24, 2014.
Sarah Jo was born, raised, and lived her whole life in Dunlap, and was a direct descendent of the first European settlers of the Sequatchie Valley. She grew up in two old family businesses, the Putnam-Standefer Funeral Home and Standefer Furniture Store. She attended Carson-Newman College and the University of Chattanooga. She taught fourth grade at Dunlap Elementary School, was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She retired after more than 35 years with Tennessee Department of Human Services. She was a member of the Dunlap First Baptist Church for nearly 75 years. Sarah Jo was a Past Worthy Matron of Cherokee Chapter # 301 O.E.S.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Polk and Katherine Barker Standefer; brother, George Polk Standefer.
She is survived by her husband of almost 62 years, Roy Joe Walker; son, Mike (Vicki Sowder) Walker, LaVergne, TN; three grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Walker and Christopher M. Walker, Dunlap, and Michaela Standefer Walker, LaVergne, TN; five step-grandchildren, Summer (Jimmy) Hartman, Dunlap, Sunni, Austin, and Skye Jackson, all of LaVergne, TN, Dexter Robertson, Athens, TN; many other family and friends; lifelong special "sisters", Patsy (Hollis) Pope, and Brownie Gray Ewton.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Pope, Norman Hatfield, Philip Roberson, Landon Greer, Jonathan Kelly, and Ed Nunley, and honorary pallbearers will be the Dunlap Fire Department, Sequatchie County Sheriff's Department, Dunlap Police Department, and Daniel, Josiah, and Jarred Allen.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 27, at 3 p.m. CDT at Dunlap First Baptist Church with Brother Jeremy Byrd and Brother Fred Steelman officiating. Burial will be in Rankin Cemetery.
Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sarah Jo Walker scholarship fund at Citizens Tri-County Bank. Funds will provide a scholarship to a SCHS senior who will be attending college to pursue a degree in Education or Social Work. Arrangements by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap.
Family will receive friends on Friday, July 25, from 4-8 p.m. CDT, Saturday, from 3-8 p.m. CDT, and Sunday, from 1:30 p.m. until time of service at Dunlap First Baptist Church.