of Harrison, AR

April 11, 1940 - June 1, 2023

Freddie Gelease (Hefley) Walker, 83, of Harrison, Arkansas, left this earth to join her Heavenly Father on June 1, 2023. She was born on April 11, 1940, in Mt. Judea, Arkansas, to Hester Hosanna (Foster) Hefley and Frederick Joseph Hefley. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, James Hefley, Howard Hefley, and John Hefley, and one sister, Jimmie Hefley.

Freddie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Sheldon Walker; four daughters, Selena (Pat) Merriman, Shelly Walker, Linda (Rick) King and Lisa (Jeff) Wiskur; ten grandchildren, Samantha (Stephan) Kershisnik, Luke Merriman, Codi (Kerry) Kanatzar, Paul (Sara) Swearingen, Rachel (Geo) Espinoza, Reagan Wray, Julie (Brett) Bethurem, Katie Wiskur, Eric (Courtney) Wiskur and Stephanie Wiskur; eleven great-grandchildren, Jack Kershisnik, Fiona Kershisnik, Madalyn Merriman, Madison Carpenter, Abigail Carpenter, Elijah Kanatzar, Owen Kanatzar, Quinn Swearingen, Robin Swearingen, Noah Bethurem and Connor Bethurem; three sisters, Loucille Burdine, Louise Stewart and Patricia Henderson and many other family members.

Freddie was born in Mt Judea and moved to Lead Hill during her senior year in high school. That's when she met her husband, Sheldon. They married when she graduated and began their life together, raising their four daughters. Freddie was a stay-at-home mother and Sheldon's administrative assistant at his self-employed television repair business. They spent many years in the Kansas City, Missouri area, later moving to Harrison, Springfield, Missouri, then back to Harrison, where they retired.

She was saved by her Heavenly Father at age 15 at the Rock Haven Bible Camp in Hasty, then baptized at Big Creek in Mt. Judea. She attended Baptist churches at their various residences and, upon retiring in Harrison, was a member of First Baptist Church, where she enjoyed praising God and fellowship with many friends. She was an active basketball player throughout her life until her late senior years. She played in many women s leagues, including the group she started after moving to Harrison in 1978. She also coached pee-wee girls' basketball in Harrison. She was active, competing in the Senior Olympics throughout her later years and winning countless medals for basketball (primarily as the best 3-point shooter) and other track competitions. She had a quick mind for math and was terrific at word puzzles. You rarely visited with her when she wasn't playing Scrabble. She made many trips to Mt. Home to participate in their Scrabble league. She loved to compete so much that not too long ago, she and her granddaughter, Samantha, were competitors in the grandparents/grandchildren's "Wheel of Fortune" show in Orlando. She shared her winnings with her grandchildren.

Freddie was happiest when she would gather with her large family at the Hefley reunions in Mt Judea, then later on at Harrison. She shared all holidays with her family and attended many of her grandchildren's special events. She and Sheldon enjoyed traveling to visit family. She loved to get groups together to sing gospel music, and she played piano by ear.

Freddie was a quick-witted poet. She'd often say, "I'm a poet, and I know it and rhyme every time!". She quoted many nursery rhymes to her children and grandchildren. Her favorite song to sing was "Rockabye Boogie" as fast as she could! She entertained the "Wheel of Fortune" judges with that song when she auditioned for the show. She referred to herself as "Ever-ready Freddie."

Freddie's grandchildren treasured their time with Grandma and Grandpa. They would go to Branson music shows, parks, restaurants, and many fun places during their spring, summer, and Christmas breaks from school. The pet donkey, Burrito, that lived behind Freddie and Sheldon's house in Springfield, was happy to see them all in the backyard during their many birthday gatherings and Easter egg hunts.

Freddie liked to decorate her house with dolls and teddy bears. She began decorating with Christmas teddy bears and decided she liked them so much that she just left them up year-round! She proudly displayed her doll collection in the guest bedrooms. Her favorite was the talking Mrs. Beasley, that could still talk (after being repaired by Sheldon) several decades after belonging to her youngest daughter, Lisa.


Celebration of Life service was at First Baptist Church in Harrison, Arkansas. Burial was at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Harrison.

Her family and dear friends know she is in Heaven now, most likely singing some gospel, playing Scrabble or shooting some hoops. She will be missed, but we look forward to rejoicing with her when we see her again.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com