Mr. Rudolph Walker (94) departed this life peacefully at home on Sunday morning, November 1, 2015. He was born on February 7, 1921 in Vernon, Alabama to the late Sam and Alice (nee Gunter) Walker. He leaves to cherish memories of him, his daughter (Mercedes), a sister-in-law Helen (John) Walker, Keith and Marlo Person, his loving caregiver (Annette Kelly), Rosetta Allen and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rudolph was the second born of 8 children and he resided in Vernon until 1941 where at the age of 20, he made a decision that he credits with being one of the best decision that he had ever made in his life. That decision led him to leaving his home walking and joining the Navy. Thus his Navy career began by departure from Vernon to Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and from there to Norfolk, VA. He credited this decision as one of the best decisions that he had made for the pure and simple fact that had he not made that decision, he felt that he might have found himself "trapped" in Vernon. Although having dropped out of school in the 11th grade, he completed his high school education while in the Navy, which made him the only one of 8 children to have attained a high school education. He served in the U.S. Navy faithfully for 20 years and retired and made his home in Milwaukee, WI. He subsequently, after much persuasion from his daughter, moved to Atlanta, GA and made his home with her where he remained until he departed this life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 5 brothers and 2 sisters: Buddy, Glenn, Willie, Catherine, Robert, Lucy and John. He had an "infectious" smile and was a joy to be around. He will be missed by so many people, but precious memories of spending time with him will also be cherished by them.