Lurlene Virginia Spears Walker

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Lurlene Virginia Spears Walker, age 96, of Vicksburg, Miss., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1929, in Roundaway, Miss., located in the Mississippi Delta, the daughter of Georgia Ann Breland Spears and John William Spears. 

She moved to Vicksburg, Miss., and worked for South Central Bell in the 1950’s as a switchboard operator and then as a telephone operator in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s at Mercy Hospital. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy. She loved cooking for her family and friends anytime she could. You never entered Memaw’s house and left without a snack or a treat. She had a love for children and served as a preschool teacher at Highland Baptist Church, where she was a long-time member.  She had a love for life. Her laughter and smile will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lurlene is preceded in death by her parents Georgia Ann Breland Spears and John William Spears, her husband Warren B. Walker, her sisters Lee Spears Kearns, Minnie Oltermari, Ilner “Sandy” Sanders, Bea Matthews, and a brother Earl Spears. 

She is survived by her daughter Donna Walker Simmons (Mickey); grandchildren Erick Simmons (Lurline), Andrew Simmons (Brandi); great-grandchildren Savannah Simmons, Case Simmons, Anderson Simmons, Aubrey Simmons, William Simmons, and Stetson Simmons. 

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Glenwood Funeral Home, Vicksburg, Miss., on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service with a private internment following the service. Pallbearers will be Erick Simmons, Andrew Simmons, Dustin Simmons, Kyle Simmons, Michael Nassour, and Shane Miller.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Sam Pierce and the Medical Associates team for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made to Highland Baptist Church in Vicksburg, Miss.