Barbara Jean Walker

The memorial service for Barbara Jean Walker, 64, of Chapin, will be held in the chapel of St. Andrews Baptist Church, at 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, 29210, at 2 PM on Monday, July 7th. The family will receive friends following the service. Rev. Bart Cook and Rev. Bill Haselden will officiate.

Barbara was born November 11, 1960 in Fort Pierce, FL and departed this earthly life on June 27, 2025. She was raised in a Christian home by her parents, the late Allen F. Sikkema and Virgina K. Kettler who modeled the love of Christ daily. She was born the 7th of 8 children, and attended Martin County High School in Stuart, Florida. After graduating in 1978, she went on to attend Mars Hill College where she met her husband in 1980. Barbara and Wes were married January 2nd, 1983 in Columbia, South Carolina and were blessed with the birth of their son, A. Forrest Walker on January 30th, 2001. At the time of her passing, she was a 14 year employee of Terminix Commercial Division as an office manager.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with family, relaxing in the sanctuary of her back yard, and being on the beach for hours on end. She touched the lives of many through her kind words, deeds, and profound sense of heartfelt warmth towards others. Barbara's grace, beauty, and elegance embodied the love of life that she shared with everyone she met. She will be remembered as being a loving spouse, mother, sister, and friend to all. She brightened the lives of many through her world-class temperament and left smiles on the faces of everyone with her positive attitude. She displayed a quiet faith in the Lord that left no doubt in others of the love in her heart.

Surviving is her loving husband of 42 years, Wesley R. "Wes" Walker, her son, Forrest, and her siblings, Sandy Sikkema, Darwin Sikkema (Denise), Bob Sikkema (Diane), Don Sikkema (Robyn), and Kenny Sikkema (BeBe). She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Sharon David and Katherine Richardson. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden at https://society.riverbanks.org/donate or to AIM at Melanoma cancer research at https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/