Mrs. Muriel Walker, 89, played dozens of supporting roles for her family and community during her lifetime: nurse, union organizer, church volunteer, political activist and community board member.
She was also a trailblazer. Mrs. Walker was not only the first African-American registered nurse to be hired at Peoples Hospital — now called Cleveland Clinic Akron General — but the first African-American hired at the hospital.
She was active in the community and politics. She served as a delegate for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and 1980.
In 2008, she and her late husband, Atha, received the Cliff Skeen Lifetime Achievement Award for their service to the community.
Mrs. Walker died Monday at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, five days after a recognition program, “We Honor Nurses,” for 57 years of dedication as a nurse. She was the first nurse to be honored by Cleveland Clinic Akron General Visiting Nurse Service.
Her daughter, Gail, of Chicago, said her mother was overwhelmed with emotion with the recognition.
“She was very happy and deeply touched,” her daughter said. “She felt really good. She left on such a good note.”
On the day of the celebration, Mrs. Walker received a written job offer in the mail.
After she retired in 1994 (former Mayor Don Plusquellic declared her retirement date “Muriel Walker Day”), Mrs. Walker maintained her registered nurse license. She took 21 credit hours every two years to keep her certification active.
Mrs. Walker was described by many as an influential but modest woman.
“My mom wasn’t someone who wanted to be in the forefront; she was more comfortable being able to contribute. I just read something she said in 1985, that she didn’t want to be a flag waver; she just wanted to hold a candle,” said her daughter, Gail Walker of Chicago. “She taught us that how you treat people matters.”
She served on the board of directors at Edwin Shaw Memorial Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and the Interval Brotherhood Home, helped organize the Professional Staff Nurses Association and was an active member of Akron Second Baptist Church and the NAACP.
Family members described her as motherly, scholarly and intuitively thoughtful.
“She would buy extra Christmas presents just in case someone would stop by — just so no one would feel left out,” said her daughter, Judy Miles of Cleveland. “She always made a big pan of macaroni and cheese or pot of spaghetti when someone was grieving or ill; sometimes we didn’t even know the people, but she had heard they had a need. It would take an hour to get through the grocery store even if you were only going in for a few things because people would stop her and ask if she remembered them because she took care of one of their relatives.”
She was known for writing notes, giving gifts or calling people as a reminder to set up an important appointment. She provided support to mourners who just needed someone to listen to them remembering a loved one.
“I remember when she called a grieving mother every year on the anniversary date of her daughter’s death and gave gifts to a young girl until she graduated from college, after her parents died,” Gail said. “Her relationships were long-term.”
Mrs. Walker and her late husband were always in sync in 61 years of marriage, whether it was instilling values in their children or helping in the community. They have five children: Gail, Kenny (Gwen), David (Yolanda), Judy (Stephen) Miles and Jeffrey of Denver.
The couple was also known throughout political circles. Atha Walker was the former vice chairman of the Summit County Democratic Party. The couple managed the campaigns of councilmen, congressmen and judges, were advocates for school levies and helped find job opportunities for youths, matching ambitious young applicants to companies.
“It’s difficult to talk about one without the other, because they were a closely knit couple,” said retired Judge James R. Williams. “They worked as a team. They did a lot of community work, but in addition to that they spent a lot of time making sure family was first.”
Williams consulted the Walkers, seeking their blessing before making his run for City Council.
“I was elected as 4th Ward councilman in 1969, but that probably would not have happened without their support,” he said.
Tom Sawyer, the former Akron mayor, U.S. congressman and state senator, said the couple also supported him whenever he ran for office. He had known the Walkers for more than 40 years.
“They were not only political supporters, but supporters for worthwhile causes over the years,” he said. “When I finally ran for office, we weren’t even in the same district — but they volunteered to help with fundraisers. They accomplished a great deal together. It was not by accident that she was a nurse. She led by example, she taught people by the way she conducted her life.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.