Obituary of David J Walker

David Jewel Walker, Sr. joined his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 20, 2023, as he peacefully departed life at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. “Boo” as he was affectionally known, was born on March 11, 1944, in Newport News, Virginia. He was the only son of the late Mary Walker and first-born son of the late David Maynard.  He was the adopted son of the late James Pierce, Sr. and Margaret Mae Pierce.

“Boo” was educated in the Newport News Public Schools system, graduating from Huntington High School in 1962. After graduation, he attended Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, currently his “beloved” Norfolk State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Health and Physical Education in January 1967.  Two years later, he married the love of his life, the late Jeanett J. Walker on August 12, 1969.  Their love and marriage lasted 39 years.  He then went on to earn his Master of Arts in Education in 1975 at Old Dominion University.

David started his professional career in Caroline County, Virginia as a biology teacher and taught physical education. He continued his long career as a Driver Education Instructor in the Virginia Beach Public Schools system. He was awarded the Virginia Association of Driver Education (VADETS) Teacher of the Year in 1998. He was a hard worker, who at times worked three jobs to provide for his family.  He loved his profession and had an impact of everyone he taught how to drive. He retired from the Virginia Beach Public School systems in 2009 with 42 years of service. He was a Lifetime Member of Huntington High School Alumni Association, Inc. He served as a Volunteer Ambassador with Life Net Health and was a longtime supporter of the Virginia Special Olympics.

David’s spiritual life was extremely important to him; he was a devoted, long-time member of Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. He was ordained as a Deacon at Bank Street in December 1986. He was active in the Ministry of Deacons, Missionary Society, Ballard-Epperson Sunday School, Men’s Fellowship Ministry, Gospel Choir, Praise Team, and the Aerobics Ministry until he became ill. He was awarded the Bank Street Dedicated and Committed Service Award in 2008. He was also awarded The Maryland McMillian - Doris Griffin Missionary Society Distinguished Service Award in 2017.  He spent years serving members and visiting the sick and shut in. Everyone he encountered was met with a kind heart and warm smile; he was simply, “selfless”.   

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanett J. Walker; siblings, James “Tiny” Pierce, Jr.; sisters, Janie Mae Pierce and Vivian Pierce Johnson.  He leaves to cherish his memory two sons, Rodney Jones, Sr. (Kim) of Portsmouth, David “DJ” Walker of Virginia Beach; one daughter, Davida Chapman (Keith) of Chesapeake; one brother, Thomas Pierce of Newport News, VA; one sister, Gail “Jill” Payne of Newport News; four half-brothers, Donald Maynard and David Maynard both of Maryland, Damon Maynard (Yonka) of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Amando Virata (Mimmie) of Pennsylvania; five half-sisters, Jillian Wyand (Matthew) of West Virginia, Kelly Virata-Harvey (Victor), Shereese Maynard, Antoinette Maynard and Stacey Maynard, all of Maryland; step-mother, Barbara “Bobbie” Hammell-Maynard of West Virginia; eight grandchildren, D’Mario Eure of Portsmouth, Keilah Tyson and  Raven Jones both of Richmond, Keith Chapman, Jr. of Norfolk, Rodney “RJ” Jones of Suffolk, Corey Chapman of Chesapeake, Kole Jones of Suffolk, Kennedy Chapman of Chesapeake, Jaiden Walker of Suffolk; two great grandchildren, Skylar Eure and Avery Chapman both of Chesapeake; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.