Ellen Decherd Walker September 12, 1937 - February 23, 2024 Dallas, TX - Ellen Decherd Walker, age 86, passed away at home with her family by her side. She is now at peace with her Heavenly Father. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, in the Shipp Chapel at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church with a reception to follow at the church. Born and raised in Dallas, Ellen was the daughter of Geneva Jane Huneke (Hugo, OK) and Edmund Decherd. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. She then attended SMU and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. While working a summer job in downtown Dallas, she caught the eye of a young Air Force pilot, Joe Bob Walker. Their first date was to the Music Hall at Fair Park in July of 1955. They were married on March 15, 1958, and had a perfect partnership for over 65 years, creating a joy-filled life. They raised three children and always celebrated life to the fullest. Ellen was selfless and loyal to her family and friends. She was a loving mother, caring wife, peacemaker, and matriarch of the family, putting other's interests before her own. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She was a good cook and loved to host her family for holidays or for just an afternoon of swimming and barbecue. She was always amused by her great-grandchildren. She loved having lunch with friends, reading books, entertaining people during summers in Colorado, gardening, traveling to see national parks and presidential libraries, and most of all, playing competitive tennis, a passion she shared with her father. She wanted to pass on her love of the sport, so she would take her granddaughters to the club to play tennis. Their favorite memory of those outings was eating as much popcorn as they wanted. Her treasured friends from Woodrow Wilson, NWC Book Club, LLUMC, Bent Tree Tennis League, and her neighbors were so caring during her illness, sending her support through cards, meals, and visits. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Nancy Osborn (Vernon, CT). In addition to her husband, Joe Robert Walker, Ellen is survived by her children, Laura and husband Greg Bird, Douglas and wife Teresa, Scott and wife Mariella; her grandchildren, Collin Bird and wife Cristina, Stephanie (Bird) and husband Cody Baker, Rachel, Avery, Miranda, and Justine; her great-grandchildren, Cristina Bird, Harrison Bird, Olivia Bird, Everett Baker, William Baker, and George Baker; her brother, Richard Decherd and Sally (Cornwall, CT); her sister-in-law, Janet Singer and husband Bob; and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to the wonderful caregivers that have been by her side for the past several years. In lieu of flowers, contributions to your favorite charity in her memory are suggested. Click this link to view additional details about Ellens Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/ellen-walker-2024