Mr. John Riley Walker, age 74 of Vernon, passed away Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011, at his residence.

Mr. Walker was born March 22, 1936 in Lamar Co., AL to the late Sam and Alice Gunter Walker. He was a member of United Baptist Church in Vernon where he served as President of the Trustee Board. He was an active member while he was in good health. He atteneded the Lamar Co. Training School. He was employed with Vernon Manufacturing, National Housing Trailer Plant, Bank of Vernon, and Arvin's of Fayette, AL. He retired from Chromalox after 23 years. He worked also at the Lamar Co. jail as a jailer after his retirement.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1:00 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Greg Duff officiating. Burial will follow at Furnace Hill. Visitation will be Friday evening 6-8 at United Baptist Church.

Survivors are his wife of 52 years, Helen Walker; three sons, Larry Smith of Vernon, Donny Smith of Vernon, and Dietrich Smith of Phoenix, AR; two dauthers, Pamela (Clarence) Walker Williams of Vernon and Terri (Darran) Walker Clark of Columbus; brother, Rudolph Walker of Atlanta; god daughter, Alia Williams of Columbus, MS; special friends, Sherriff Terry Perkins of Vernon and Henry Lee Harrington of Detroit, MI; a female Siamese cat, Conner; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willie B. Walker, Glen Walker, Buddy Walker, and Robert Walker; and sisters, Catherine Holiday and Lucy Guyton.