Jean Walker

A Tribute to Wilma Jean Walker

Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother




Wilma Jean (Cathey) Walker began her life on October 28, 1928. She was the middle child of Norris and Beulah Cathey, long time farmers of Cobb, Oklahoma. Jean, as she liked to be called, attended school in Cobb, played basketball and graduated from high school. Raised in Bokchito, Oklahoma, she attended beauty school and received her license as a beautician. Jean and Jesse G. Walker knew each other growing up and married on December 3, 1948. They resided in Atoka, Oklahoma for a brief time after Jesse got his degree from Southeastern State College and taught college in Atoka while Jean continued to be a beautician and housewife. Jesse and Jean then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma for Jesse to attend Oklahoma A & M (OSU) to become a veterinarian and Jean was by his side. While he attended to his studies, Jean worked as the senior secretary for the Dean of Colleges. After Jesse graduated from Oklahoma A& M in 1956, they moved to Anadarko in 1957 where they established the Anadarko Veterinary Hospital. About 1959, they added a daughter to their family and named her Leigh Ann.

They were both avid church goers at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. Jesse was in Rotary Club and Jean joined Sorosis Club. They were also members of the OSU Alumnae Association, the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce, the American Heart Association, and many other corporate, service and community organizations. Jean and Jesse worked side by side for about 30 years. After Jesse's retirement, Jean opened The Pet Parlor dog grooming and boarding kennel. They were true teammates.

Jean and Jesse both loved animals and she had a special love for birds. Jean loved to shop and frequented county estate sales. She loved having breakfast at Temptations Restaurant with her many friends. Jean also loved supporting local Native American artists and collected art for many years. But most of all, she loved her daughter and her grandsons.

Jean would often see many of her friends on her daily travels to the Post Office or WalMart where one might be sure to get a smile, a hug or a conversation. Many thought of her as veterinarian too and called her even after Jesse passed to find out about a sick pet.

Jean was hardly ever sick for most of her life, but she passed on Monday in Shawnee, OK, July 2nd after a lengthy illness at the age of 83. She and Jesse lived at 200 S. Country Club Road in Anadarko, OK for 49 years. She is joined in the arms of her Heavenly Father by her parents Norris and Beulah Cathey of Bokchito, and her dear husband, Jesse. She leaves her loving daughter, Leigh Ann and two devoted grandsons, Brad and Ethan Bryson all of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her brother Dean Cathey of Sherman, Texas and her sister, Farl Tubb of Corvallis, Oregon and many other nieces and nephews. Jean also is survived by her constant pet companion, Laney, the many pets she loved and took care of, and a loving community of friends who called to check on her often. We will all miss her wit, her smile, her warm conversation and her heartfelt support.