Mary Helen (McCullum) Walker was born on June 30, 1946, in Shuqualak, Mississippi to Willie James McCullum and Rosie Lee Thomas.  She was the fifth of eight children.  She gave her life to Christ at an early age when she was baptized and attended church regularly.   Mary also enjoyed helping Madea, her mother, cook meals for the family.   She took a culinary class in high school because she liked to cook.  She graduated from Noxubee County High School in 1964. Next, she attended Alcorn State University, and while there she worked in the cafeteria as a food server.  Mary's job in the cafeteria helped to pay her tuition, as well as room and board.  She graduated with her home economics (B.S.) degree in 1969 and became the first college graduate in her family. Then, Mary started her teaching career and taught home economics at R. E. Hunt High School in Columbus, MS, an all-black high school in its own school district.  The next year, due to a federal integration mandate, Mary was transferred to a newly integrated high school, where she taught that year.  Based on her teacher evaluations, she was an outstanding home economics teacher.

In 1971, Mary relocated to Rock Island, IL and married Tevell Walker, her husband for over fifty years.  She was a devoted wife, homemaker, mother and professional.  She was the first black female food processing manager at the Rock Island County Health Care Center, a long-term care retirement facility.  She managed hundreds of meals daily for her elderly residents.  She held that position for over twenty-five years until she retired with full benefits.

Throughout her life, Mary remained committed to the church.  She faithfully took her children to church.  She enrolled them in Sunday School too.  The church van picked them up at a certain time, so they were expected to be ready and attend Sunday School, however, if they did not go to Sunday School then they were not allowed outside to play.  She would say, "If you are well enough to go outside and play, then you are well enough to get up and go to church."

In the early 1980's, Mary joined Third Missionary Baptist Church where she has been a committed member.  She served as a Deaconess, a Pastor's aid committee member, and the chairperson of the kitchen committee.  Well before the new Third Missionary Baptist church building was constructed, Mary regularly invited church members, her family, and friends over for food and fellowship at her house on 14 ½ street in Rock Island.  Mary was more than a good cook; she was a seasoned good cook.  Her cooking was quite remarkable.  And most importantly, she was loving to her family and friends.

Mary went on to glory on Saturday, September 23, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ruby (Scottie) Scott, Dicsible (Carl) Triplett, and Willie Lee McCullum; brothers; Sonny McCullum, and James McCullum; and stepson, Kearney Walker

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband, Tevell Walker, Davenport, IA; daughter, LaJuana (Shadrach) McGill, St. Louis, MO; sons, Traino McCullum, Waterloo, IA, and Curtis (Tiffany) Walker, Durham, NC; step-son, Fontaine Walker, Cedar Rapids, IA; granddaughters, Alexis Walker, Samiah McGill, and Shadress McGill; grandsons, Quincy Walker and Ryan Walker; brother, Sam McCullum, Kansas City, MO; sister: Katheleen McCullum, Davenport, IA; a special nephew, Kershawn McCullum; daughter-in-law, Adrienne Walker; a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Third Missionary Baptist Church, Davenport. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Burial will be in Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be left in care of the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.wheelanpressly.com.