Hugh Walker

Hugh Ellis Walker, Sr., 86, died after a brief illness on November 14, 2014, in Cleveland, MS. A celebration of his life is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Cleveland. Rev. Brad Beckwith and Rev. Milton Burd will officiate. Visitation will be Monday, November 17, at Ray Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 18, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. A graveside service will be held immediately following at North Cleveland Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Breland presiding. The family would like for friends and family to continue visiting after the graveside service at the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Foundation House on Highway 8 West at Delta State.
Hugh Ellis was born July 6, 1928, in Drew, MS. He was the son of the late Bonnie Manning Walker and William Bryan Walker. He served two years in the Marine Corps after graduating from Clarksdale High School in 1946. He enrolled at Delta State in 1948 and graduated in 1952 with majors in physical education and biology. While at Delta State, Hugh Ellis was president of the Student Government Association and "Mr. Delta State." He was active in the Baptist Student Union and lettered in football and tennis.
During Hugh Ellis's senior year, he met the love of his life Eloise Stratton. They recently celebrated their sixty-second year of marriage. They both taught school and Hugh Ellis coached at Durant, Louisville, and Indianola, MS. He continued his education while coaching with graduate studies in biology at Vanderbilt University and the University of Alabama. He was an insurance agent in Jackson, MS for 10 years.
Hugh Ellis and Eloise returned to the DSU campus often to attend sporting events and activities. He was a natural choice for the Director of Alumni Affairs in 1969 due to his long time love and support for his alma mater. He retired in 1993 as the Director of Alumni and Foundation. Two big honors were bestowed on him that year. The new alumni foundation house was named for him, as well as the Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award which is given annually. These honors recognized his distinctive service to students, alumni, and foundation donors. He was inducted into the DSU's Hall of Fame, and he has been named the University's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. There are several scholarships given each year in his name.
Hugh Ellis has contributed much to the community. He served as alderman for Cleveland. As a board member of the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, he received the "President's Award" for his success as membership chairman. As an active member of the Lions Club, he served in many capacities. He was a dedicated volunteer for United Way. He was also a valued deacon at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, MS.
Hugh Ellis is survived by his wife Eloise Stratton Walker; daughter Sheri Lynn Walker Wright and her husband Tim Wright; son Hugh Ellis Walker, Jr. and his wife Renita Walker; granddaughters Katie Wright Kelley and her husband Bryan Kelley and Patti Wright Salazar and her husband Rick Salazar; grandsons Hugh Ellis Walker III and his wife Kristen McCree Walker, Bryan Walker and his wife Emary Booth Walker and Taylor Walker; great grandsons Bryce Kelley and Emmett Walker; great granddaughters, Mallory Salazar, Kate Walker and Emma Walker.
Hugh Ellis will be greatly missed by his family and a host of friends. He faithfully attended special events honoring them, especially funerals. He regularly made hospital visits and was good to everyone. If someone said something bad about a person, he was quick to change the subject.
Condolences may be sent to 513 Reed Drive, Cleveland, MS 38732. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made to the Hugh Ellis Walker Scholarships at Delta State University. Please contact Keith Fulcher or Jeffrey Farris at 662-846-4704 or DSU Box 3141, Cleveland, MS 38733.
The direct link to his scholarship fund is http://www.deltastategiving.org/giving/scholarships/hughelliswalkeralumnischolarshipfund

First Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, November 17, 2014
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Second Visitation

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2014
First Baptist Church. 101 N Bolivar Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

2:00 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Cleveland First Baptist Church Cleveland Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

North Cleveland Cemetery North Bolivar Cleveland, Mississippi, United States