The Late Rev. Dr. Walker
A memorial service will be held in the USA, after which his body will be flown home for funeral service and burial. Details will be announced later.
According to the Lott-Carey Mission Alumni Association, Jeremiah W. Walker left his hometown of Careysburg, Liberia to attend the Lott Carey Baptist Mission School (LCM) in Brewerville, in the early 1950s, he had no idea that the foundation he would obtain from LCM would have propelled him to national distinction and given him two stints as Superintendent of his Alma Mater, Lott Carey. This 1956 LCM graduate was a member of the class of eight individuals including: Bernard Benson, Stella Banks, Eudora Ash, Joseph Williams, Valerie Morris, William Gant and Manna Davis.
Upon his high school graduation, Rev. Dr. Walker traveled to the United States to attend Shaw University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology. He matriculated to Howard University for graduate studies and obtained his Master’s in Divinity. Shaw University later bestowed upon him, the honors of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) for his many accomplishments. Among his professional endeavors are: two distinct periods of services as Principal of Lott Carey; served as Director of Development and Dean of Students at Cuttington University, Suakoko, Bong County and simultaneously taught sociology and psychology.
While working as an educator, Dr. Walker also served as President of the Liberian Council of Churches, President of the Interfaith Council of Liberia, worked with the Baptist World Alliance alongside Liberia’s former President, William R. Tolbert, Jr. and was the first Chairman of the
Liberia Baptist Seminary. Dr. Walker was also president of the Liberia Principals’ Association.
Dr. Walker was ordained Pastor at the Bethesda Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. in 1964. In Liberia, he served as Pastor of the Mt. Galilee Baptist Church, Careysburg; as Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church, Arthington; and Pastor and Pastor Emeritus, Zion Grove Baptist Church, Brewerville.
Rev. Dr. Jeremiah W. Walker received the Desmond Tutu Peace Prize, among several other national and international honors. He also received honors from the Lott Carey Mission Alumni Association-Liberia, of which he was most proud for his years of quality service to the school and the nation. During the Liberian civil war, Rev. Walker remained in Liberia and did not shut down the school until he had to and did not leave the country. During that period, Lott Carey conducted two graduation ceremonies while other schools were idle. Rev. Walker also found time to serve as head of the Peace Delegation for Liberia, which negotiated and eventually brought peace to the nation during its devastating civil conflict.
After 40 years of service, Rev. Walker retired in 2008 from the Lott Carey Baptist Mission School, and spent his remaining years with his family. Those who knew him well recall his mantra: “Everyone who comes into the world should leave a legacy of service.” In his own words, he was proudest “that I was able to serve the students of Liberia.”