Iris Nell Walker

Iris Nell Walker, age 76, died January 29, 2017 in St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital following an extended illness. She was born May 1, 1940 in Tarlton Valley to the late Osborn Conard and Bessie D. Tate Wanamaker and was raised at Wanamaker’s Branch in Grundy County, TN, and later moved to McMinnville with her husband to raise a family. She was also a polio and post-polio survivor. Mrs. Walker was a homemaker for many years, an Avon Team Representative for 10 years, had an antique store and was an avid auction buff. She was a proud wife and mother of seven children for 60 years and loved antiquing and traveling, especially her grand tour of Ireland. She was a member of the Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by son, Anthony Wayne Walker; brothers, Johnny Ned Wanamaker and Bradley Matthew Wanamaker; and grandparents, Beecher and Ollie Wanamaker and Clyde and Bessie Tate. Mrs. Walker was married December 22, 1956 to Herbert G. Walker, Sr. who survives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six children, Herbert G. “Herby” (Janice) Walker, Jr., Brad (Toney Wanamaker) Walker and Mechelle (Annette Hennessee) Walker all of McMinnville, Darlene “Cindy” Rice of Tullahoma, TN, Jerry (Ransley ILario) Walker of Fort Lauderdale, FL and James Michael “Mike” (Jackie) Walker, Sr. of Putnam County, TN; six grandchildren, Chris (Corey Ware) Walker, James (Lorin) Walker and Paul Jones all of McMinnville, Kristen (Dustin) Amos and Colby (Mindy) Rogers of Tullahoma and Joshua Braden of Indiana; nine great-grandchildren, Blake, Paten and Chevy Walker, Trey, Ashanti and Landin Rogers, Olivia Hogan, Caleb Amos and Claudia Walker; sister, Donna (Ricky) Simons of McMinnville; and five brothers, Mike (Joyce) Wanamaker, Jim (Maxine) Wanamaker, Rickey (Flo) Wanamaker, David (Ella) Wanamaker and Billy Conard (Nelda) Wanamaker all of McMinnville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 in High’s Chapel with Jason Brown to officiate. Interment will be held in Walker Cemetery at Beersheba Springs in Grundy County. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and 11:00 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at High’s. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.