Beatrice Francis Walker (Betty) of Brockton, born November 11, 1918, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 25, 2023. She was a grand 104.5 years old. She was a guest of the lovely “Copley at Stoughton Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center” where they took good care of her. When she transitioned, Autumn Hospice oversaw her care in a kind, gentle, and loving manner. All of the families are grateful to both.
Betty was born in Cambridge, MA to parents Hyman Reginald Nicholas, a Wentworth graduate then Engineer and Susie Francis (Myers) Nicholas, who attended dressmaking and nursing school. Betty was the first born of six siblings. They are the late Harriette Cooper, Hyman R. Nicholas Jr., Rudolph Nicholas, Katherine I. McCarthy, and one surviving sister S. Louise McCullough.
She is survived by her grandchildren Janice Walker-Shearrion (late James) of Boston, Keith A. Walker (Tracy) of New Bedford and Cheryl L. Walker of Randolph, and daughter-in- law M.J. Walker of Mattapan; great-grandchildren Tynia Brandon of Boston, Shanikwa Davis (George) of Rockland, Alicia Walton (Gregory) of Bridgewater, and Ciara Ellerbe of Boston; great-great grandchildren Khanya (Brandon) Buford, Kaprise Davis, Tyrae Worrell Davis, Amari Jean Davis, and Zion Davis of Rockland, Gia Walton and Gregory Walton Jr. of Bridgewater, and Kassan (Ellerbe) Kirby of Boston; great-great-great grandchildren Yani (Nini Brandon) Caruthers, Twins Aaliyah Davis and Tyrae Davis Jr., and Jaire (Davis) DaSilva; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins in and out of state, a phenomenal number of friends, neighbors and others that she touched on her journey, that loved her dearly. We cannot forget her beloved church family Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
Beatrice (Betty) graduated from Cambridge Latin High School in 1936. She worked during and after high school helping her mother support the family after the loss of her beloved father. She met the love of her life in 1937; her late husband Elmer (Mooch) Edward Walker, Sr. Elmer swept her off her feet with his North Carolina and Boston city swag, zoot suits, ambitious work drive and intelligence. They were fiercely loyal to each other and married on her birthday, Friday, November 11, 1938. They moved from Cambridge to Boston on the infamous Davenport Street. Her (late) husband Elmer went into the army during World War II serving in the years of the Japanese internment. During that time, they had one child (the late) Elmer Edward Walker Jr. on May 8, 1940, also an army veteran.
Betty attended Northeastern University nursing program proudly graduating in 1942. She joined Massachusetts General Hospital in 1950, retiring 35 years later from Philips House 8 where she met numerous celebrities including “The Duke” John Wayne and “Diplomat” Henry Kissinger, to be the caretaker for her husband.
Betty was ambitious and had many talents. She started her catering business in the early 60’s from assisting her husband’s employer with grand Jewish and Persian family and highly professional events. She catered within the Jewish communities with Dorothy Cowan for 30 plus years eventually having her oldest granddaughter join her as an assistant. Betty and her dear late friend Hyacinth Haggerty also made gorgeous wedding cakes in the business. She retired at the age of 75.
She was bored being at home daily after the loss of her husband. When she was recruited to the MainSpring House overflow emergency shelter at St. Patrick’s Church on Main Street in Brockton at the ripe ole age of 79, it was a gift from God. It was a shelter for women and children under Father Bill’s umbrella. Oh did Betty love that job, and they loved her. Their clients referred to her as “house mother”. She was there until the program closed 14 years later. She was just shy of 93 years old.
She did not know why she was on this earth so long, but she did understand God’s will and clearly his mission for her was not over. She left us peacefully that beautiful, clear, sunny Thursday afternoon probably hearing “Well Done My Faithful, Trusted Servant” as her journey was complete. We will miss her forever.
All are welcome to gather on Saturday, June 10th at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 24 Pleasant St., Brockton for an 11 a.m. Celebration of Life. Repast to follow immediately in the lower level of the church. A private burial will take place at Melrose Cemetery, Brockton.
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