Barbara (Staley) Paige Walker

It is with deep and profound sympathy that we announce the transition of Ms. Barbara Staley Paige Walker who entered into rest March 26, 2024.

Ms. Walker was a native of Hempstead (Nassau County), NY born to the late Nathaniel Washington Walker, Sr. and the late Gladys Staley Jones. She is a member of Indian Grove Baptist Church.

Ms. Walker started her education at Prospect Elementary School in Hempstead, NY.  She attended PS40 Jr. High in Jamaica, NY and completed at East New York Vocational Girls High School in New York, NY.

She and her mother moved to Aiken, SC shortly after finishing school. There she married and had three children.  Her first job was a Parlor Maid for a wealthy family in Aiken. There she learned etiquette, which she possessed in all of her years. Disturbed by the difference in the way blacks were treated down south compared to New York, she took the initiative to seek how she could play a part to advocate and seek equality for all. This is how she became involved with the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference.) She served with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jessie Jackson, A. B. King (Dr. King's brother) and Andrew Young to name a few. Her position with SCLC was Citizenship School Teacher. She traveled over SC and GA to teach people how to read and write. The primary reason was for voter's registration. Although she only marched with Dr. King on one occassion in Birmingham, AL, she worked a lot behind the scenes to help organize the marches. She also attended many of the retreats that were held by Dr. King in Macintosh, GA. The retreats were used for resting, as well as, lectures and training. She then began to be employed with Aiken County Community Action in Aiken, SC. Her position there was Supervisor of Outreach Department. In 1967, she was chosen to serve on the Human Affairs Commission for the State of SC under the governorship of John C. West. She served both of his terms as Vice Chairperson for four years.

Ms. Walker's honors and achievements include, Aiken NAACP President's Award (April 17, 2015), Key to the City of Aiken, SC (August 18, 2015), Unsung Hero Proclamation from the City of Aiken (August 25, 2015), Civil Rights Activist, Assistant to Governor John C. West and a Retired Social Worker.

Survivors include her children, Zachary Paige, Shevonie (Glenn) Mealer both of Beech Island, SC and Rodney (Annette) Paige of Aiken, SC; chosen children, Paula Herring, Nathaniel (Leslie) Walker both of Conyers, GA, Crystal (Errol) Gould of New York and Francine Stokes of New Jersey; a brother, Tarrance (Terri) Jones of Sumter, SC; 11 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; a host of chosen grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Monday, April 1, 2024 at Friendship Baptist Church (Richland Ave.) where the Rev. T. C. Edwards, Jr. is the pastor and the Rev. Bruce Bias eulogist. Interment will follow at Pineview Memorial Gardens (North Augusta.) Viewing will only be held on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Professional Service are under the care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.

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