Page 66 - Summer 2019 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine - Online Magazine
P. 66
HONORING SENIORS
A MODERN
GOOD SAMARITAN
Llwlyn Walker
by Kandy Persall
“One cannot define a neighbor. One can only be a neighbor.”
~Franz Leenhardt
emphasizes that Llwlyn isn’t merely made me feel like ‘one of the family.’
neighborly toward her but to all As a shy high school girl, I went to
who have a need. Llwlyn’s house on Friday nights to
The best example of this truth ‘hang out’ while Vickie was out on a
arrived in Lubbock in the early Llwlyn and Jerry’s daughters agree. date. Llwlyn mothered me through
1950s. Newly-wed to Texas Tech “Mother fed so many people,” trials as well as joy.”
football star, Jerry Walker (Best explains Terrie Phillips of Lubbock.
Player Border Conference 1953 and “Everyone enjoyed her wonderful Kirk Roark, formerly of Lubbock
All-American on the Williamson cooking and gracious attitude. chimed in. “I was ‘adopted by
National Rating System 1953 and My sister and I learned how to be Llwlyn’ in 1973 when Terrie began
1954), Llwlyn (pronounced “El- hostesses through Mom’s example.” babysitting my sister, Kristi, and
win”) slipped into our community me. One of my fondest memories
quietly at the age of nineteen. “Yes, Mom is all about hospitality,” was being with Llwlyn and Jerry at
While Jerry’s adds daughter Vickie First Baptist Church on Wednesday
personality and Moore of Dalhart. “We nights.”
stature loomed always — and I mean
large until his always — had people Llwlyn was there when Karen
passing at age stay with us. Wayward Henderson went on her first mission
52, it is Llwlyn cousins, old boyfriends, trip. “Later, when I felt unsure about
who remains visiting preachers, dear leading Bible study, it was Llwlyn
among us as friends, furloughing who became my encouraging
a beautiful missionaries, a second mom,” Karen recalls. “She is
testimony of girl from Buckner such an angel in my life.”
a true South Children’s Home
Plains neighbor. — our house was When Laney Wootten moved to
everyone’s home.” Lubbock to lead worship, Llwlyn
Bob and adopted her family as well. “She
Charlotte One of Vickie’s basically mothered me while my
Moody moved down elementary classmates own mother lived eight hours
the block from Jerry fondly remembers away,” observed Laney. “I grew
and Llwlyn in 1972, that hospitality. Linda into marriage and motherhood with
while both families VanSlyke Schroeder, Llwlyn as my safe haven. She was
were in the busy years now of Woodlands, my lifeline during that very heavy
of raising children and California reminisces, season of my life.”
paying bills. They’ve “My own mother died
shared casseroles, when I was seven, so Laney’s sister, Jeni Hagle, concurs.
laughter, and even a I enjoyed playing at “I stayed with Llwlyn once when
birthday club through Vickie’s house. They there wasn’t enough room for our
the years. But Charlotte
66 Lubbock Senior Link
