JOEL COLBERT WALKER

Joel Colbert Walker
Early Years
 
Joel Colbert Walker, the seventh of eleven children, was born on August 1, 1933, in Denmark,
Tennessee, to the late John Earl and Annie Bell Walker. Joel grew up on a farm, where he developed a
strong work ethic rooted in his family’s legacy of farming, spanning three generations: his great-
grandfather Mose, who was emancipated from slavery, his grandfather Frank, and his father John Earl.
John and Annie Bell were loving and faithful parents who instilled in their children the values of hard
work, service to God and community, and the importance of Christian faith. Along with his siblings, Joel
accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. John Baptist Church #2 in Denmark.
Education
Joel attended Golden-Denmark High School in Denmark, TN, and later attended Merry High School in
Jackson, TN. During a class reunion, his classmate fondly recalled a moment in 1952 when Joel, during
his senior year, asked the bus driver to stop so he could join the Navy. At just 17 years old, Joel
embarked on a journey that would define much of his life. His first Navy assignment was as a steward,
working in officers' quarters and the mess hall. Although it was not his preferred job, Joel followed his
father’s advice “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability” and after three years of
perseverance, Joel transitioned to the engineering and repair division. While serving, he attended adult
classes at Abraham Lincoln High School and earned his GED. He also attended college where he studied
business administration. 
Career
Joel’s naval career spanned 22 and a half years, during which he served in both the Korean and Vietnam
Wars. In the early years, he and other minorities faced systemic racism and personal discrimination,
including being assigned lower-status jobs and subjected to degrading jokes and inappropriate
behavior. Despite these challenges, Joel advanced to become a repair shop supervisor, earned
certification as a nuclear power component welder, and served as a senior course instructor at the C-1
Welding School. He also obtained top-secret clearance and retired in 1974 as a Senior Chief Hull
Technician.
After retiring from the Navy, Joel briefly explored a career in real estate but quickly realized it was not
his calling. Six months later, he began a second career with the U.S. Customs Service, where he worked
across a wide range of inspector assignments, including cargo, passenger processing, airport, seaport,
and serving as a union steward. As the third Black Customs Aid hired at the Port of San Diego, Joel faced
significant challenges in a hostile work environment. Despite being told he .
 
would never be promoted, he persevered and retired in 1997 after 23 years as a Senior Customs
Inspector. During his tenure, Joel broke barriers by becoming the first Black Vice President of the
National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 105.

Service
Joel’s commitment to his faith and community was unwavering. In 1974, he and his cousin Harold
Brooks were invited to join the Deacon Board. Feeling he was not ready at the time, Joel declined, and
his cousin went on to become a deacon. He took his role in the church and as a role model seriously and
wanted to make sure he was prepared to serve. On November 19, 1978, Joel was ordained as a deacon
under Dr. Timothy J. Winters and served faithfully for 36 years until his retirement in 2014. Throughout
his tenure, Deacon Walker wore many hats: he was a member of the sanctuary and men’s choirs, a
church school teacher, a member of the finance committee, a trustee, and a Chairman of the Deacon
Board.  In 1979, Gods tested Deacon Walker’s  faith over finances. Bayview was growing and busting at
the seems and construction on the new sanctuary was on its way until funding dried up, banks would
not provide loans and construction came to a halt. Deacon Walker was one of the faithful members who
took out a personal loan which enabled construction to continue.  
Family
On July 22, 1959, while on vacation visiting his sibling in Beloit, Wisconsin, Joel met the love of his life,
Valaida Wonda Elizabeth Boone. After just a week of getting to know each other, Joel and Valaida were
married on July 29, 1959. Their union lasted 43 years until her passing on December 28, 2003. Together,
they raised and are survived by three children: Kenneth Walker, Lisa (Alexander) Dumas, Kevin (Latricia)
Walker, and daughter in law Celia Walker. Joel’s family grew with the addition of nine grandchildren–
Shirley (Michael) Domingo, Alfonzo Walker, Joel (Summer) Walker, Shannon, Alies, Myles, and Grant
Dumas, Malik and Isaiah Walker—four great grandchildren; William, Wyatt, and Warren Domingo, and
Joy Walker. He is also survived by his sister Sophira Walker-Bradford; and a host of nieces, nephews,
and friends. Joel often credited his late wife, Valaida, for guiding their children to become productive
and upstanding citizens.
Joel Colbert Walker’s life was a testament to faith, perseverance, and service and his unwavering trust in
God. He was widely regarded as a great mentor and an exceptional man, known for his warm smile,
heartfelt hugs, and infectious laugh, all of which will be deeply missed. His enduring legacy lives on
through the countless lives he touched and the family he cherished so deeply.

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