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KEEPSAKE VIDEO

POEM

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Service Information

The Reverend Karen Sapio, Pastor

The Reverend Dwight O. Peace, Officiant

Mrs. Angela Young, Organist

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Erma Walks

Erma Loette Walks née Alexander was born May 24, 1932 in Liverpool on the Corentyne, Berbice in Guyana, South America. She was the eldest of four children born to Milton Clarence and Winifred Ianthe (Babb) Alexander. She was six years old when her mother who was a Deputy Headteacher, decided that Erma should be trained to win a scholarship to a secondary school. At age eight years, Erma moved to Georgetown, Guyana and attended St. Stephen's Scots School. There, she became one of four scholarship winners in her class. She followed her cousin, Stella Boston née Benjamin, to The Bishops' High School (BHS).

Erma attended BHS from 1943 to 1950. A member of Mary House, Erma played netball. She noted that she was anything but a first-stringer on the House netball team. Erma enjoyed her stay at BHS.

One of her early experiences occurred when the Headmistress, Mrs. Aileen Allen, thought that she was the sister of two other students named Alexander. Even though Erma attempted to set the record straight, Mrs. Allen promptly told her, "I am going to be your headmistress" which, no doubt, was a stamp of authority.

In 1943, Erma was diagnosed with malaria which caused her to miss several days of school over the course of several terms. Fortunately, Mrs. Allen took an interest in her welfare and ensured that the maid at the school, fondly called "Nanny" by everyone, took care of her whenever malaria reared its head. Erma remembers Nanny opening an umbrella over her and putting salt in her hand when she had ague or dizziness. She recalls that Nanny lived in a room under Oswald Parry Hall. Several teachers made an impact on Erma. Miss Lilian Dewar, who taught Latin, was her favorite teacher; if Miss Dewar looked in anyone's direction, that student was elated for the rest of the day! Mrs. Nobbs taught Current Events. One day, Miss Graham, the science teacher, retrieved a dead dog from Murray Street and had the students clean off its flesh. Erma says that if the skeleton of a dog is still in the biology lab, she had a hand in its preparation! In Erma's class, Megan Anderson was the tallest girl, next came Gwen Stephenson Mitchell then Erma. Yvonne King Eastman and Dawn Elvis were her best friends. She viewed Belle Thorne Tyndall as her little sister.

Erma earned seven credits at the Oxford and Cambridge examination in 1948. Mrs. Allen encouraged her to enter the 6th form where she acquired passes in English, French, and Geography. Upon leaving BHS, Erma taught Shakespeare at British Guiana Education Trust, becoming a sixth-generation teacher. In 1952, she began teaching at Kildonan Scots School, on the Corentyne, Berbice. She then taught on the West Coast Demerara, eventually transferring to and working at her alma mater, St Stephen's, from 1954 to 1959. Erma married Ivan Walks in Guyana and subsequently moved to the United States, settling in California in 1959. In 1961, Erma was accepted to the University of Southern California and was awarded the Layne Foundation Scholarship. Upon graduation, she continued her studies obtaining her teaching credential from the Claremont Graduate School, now Claremont Graduate University. While attending school, she gained employment, first as a cataloguer, then as secretary to the Dean, and later as an editor for professors at the School of Theology in Claremont, California.

Erma began her teaching career in Pomona, California in 1970, and retired from the Pomona Unified School District in 1993. During that time she made a major impact, not only in the classroom and her school, but also in the school district. She devised a model of education which was adopted by the school district. She got support from the school board to introduce initiatives, such as taking educational field trips to places like Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One of the schools where she was an Administrator had three choirs that gave performances of a high caliber and generated funds to support school trips. Her innovative spirit, drive, and energy attracted persons from the community who wanted to collaborate with her; for example, the Director of the Claremont Symphony sought to be involved with the music program she initiated.

After retirement, Erma became an adjunct professor at the Claremont Graduate University. She was an active member of several organizations including Pomona Valley Soroptimist International, serving as President in 1979. She was a member of the board of the Salvation Army, Pomona, California chapter. She also served as Vice-Moderator of the Presbytery of San Gabriel Valley in 1987. She was a founding member and the first President of The Bishops’ High School Alumni Association California Chapter.

Erma and the late Reverend Ivan C. Walks were married for 50 years. She is survived by seven children: Barbara, Brian, Roxanne, Ivan (Jeanell), Krystana (William), Verlynne, and Cecille (Dwight); 18 grandchildren, 2 granddaughters-in-law, one grandson-in-law and 16 great-grandchildren.

What began as four “is now two” beloved siblings: her dancing partner and buddy Melvin Elliott Alexander (Doreen) and her “ONLY sister” Jean Laurel Vanvieldt; Sister-in-law Caroline “Babs” Smith Alexander, Goddaughter Penny Vanvieldt, and Godson Patrick “Ricky” Menzies. There are a host of nieces and nephews “Aunt Ela” loved dearly. Ela’s cousins span many countries across three continents. Her global village of adopted loved ones stretches far and wide. For if her eyes were to ever land upon you, count yourself as family. Ms. Erma’s anchor leg family, Summer’s Landing Bayberry in Jonesboro, Georgia, saw her to a strong finish with her parting words: “Thank You. I love you. Amen.”

Erma is also preceded in death by Aunt Maude Eloise Pitt, family matriarch, her brother Paul Laurence Alexander whom she named “Doc”, Brother-in-law Vibert Vanvieldt, granddaughter Vonetta Anne Pittman, two nephews and four nieces, gone too soon: Rudolph “Bruce” Cort, Hutton Archer, Patricia Walks Archer, Jennifer Walks, Michelle Alexander and Verna Alexander, her caregiver. Together again… let the spinach rice, curry, and roti commence!

KEEPSAKE VIDEO

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life and legacy of Erma Loette Alexander Walks.

She Has Not Left Us

Written by Erma Walks for the late Edna Sheppard

She has not left us

She lives in that realm

where gracious acts and gentle people go

Where love is an action verb and

compassion the noun of choice.

She does not sleep in seamless dreams

but moves with the freedom of endless tomorrows

and instant flight.

She sees our grief and hears our anguish.

We will remember the cadence of her voice

the whisper of her comforting presence

Her caring, her grace, her beauty

Memories of our Father's gifts to cherish.

Look! Listen!

She has not left us!

-Loving friend, Erma L. Walks

Erma L Walks

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Erma L. Walks Scholarship Fund via the Pomona Alliance of Black School Educators (PABSE) website.

For online payments:

Be sure to note her name on the reference line as, "For: Erma L. Walks"

Checks can be made payable to PABSE and mailed to

PABSE: Erma L. Walks, 2944 Meadowbrook Place, Ontario, CA 97161

Thank You

The family of the late Erma Loette Alexander Walks wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone for all courtesies, compassion, and caring extended at this time of bereavement.

We pray that each of you will be showered with God’s blessings.