Nellie Louise Walker

Heaven gained another Angel on January 10, 2025 when the Lord called, Nellie Louise Wright Walker home. Nell was born on September 10, 1928 in Oakvale, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Edward Lee and Mae Gertrude Crotty Whittaker Wright. Nell was the youngest of thirteen children and the last surviving of her generation. Her late siblings were Clarence (Claudia) Wright, Charlie (Eva) Wright, James Herbert Wright, Aaron (Clara) Wright, Walter (Maxine) Wright, Garnet Grace Wright (Raymond) Thomas, (Fred) Bratton. Margaret Inez Wright (Arlo) White, (Donald) Waltman, John Edward (Mabel) Wright, Mary Ada Wright (Raymond) Elliott, Reuben Cox Wright and Ray Harding (Flossie) Wright, and Mate (Jeri) Wright.

Nell was one of the World War II “Rosie the Riveters” when she went to work in 1944, at the age of sixteen, for the Celanese, making fabric for parachutes from Fortisan yarn. Nell’s attention to detail made her an incredible Quality Control Inspector. She also worked for North American Aviation, working on a variety of aircraft: the X-plane series of experimental aircraft that was a joint venture between NASA, the US Airforce and the US Navy including the X-15 hypersonic-rocket-powered aircraft that Chuck Yeager flew to break the sound barrier; the SR-71 Blackbird that flew at the edge of space; and the Minuteman I and II, anti-ballistic missiles. Nell also worked for Biodynamics and Regency Electronics in Indianapolis, IN. Nell loved children and took care of several children over the course of many years of her life. She also was passionate about cooking and entertaining which were two of her love languages. Having grown up on a farm, Nell loved gardening, raising, freezing and canning most of her family’s food and her flowers were always beautiful. 

Nell met Billy Lee Walker dancing to Big Bands and they were married three months later on August 23, 1949. Their marriage of 64 years was blessed with four children, Deborah Lynn Walker (Edward) Kelly, Harry Lee (Joan) Walker, Billy Joe (Lindy) Walker and Susan Gail Walker (Earl) Werner. Nellie was also blessed with seven Grandchildren, Brian Christopher Kelly, Stephan Patrick (Leah) Kelly, Cameron Wayne (Blythe) Spark, Caitlin Jade (Kristian) Young, Jennifer Adams, Heather Adams and Emily Adams (Jesse) Cantrell. Nell was blessed with seven Great Grandchildren, Sadie Sparks, Jane Sparks, John Hunter Sparks, Brayden Sparks, Belle Young, Talia Young, and Corbin Young and one Great-Great Grandchild, River Michael Lee Thornburg.

Nell was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Walker, who passed in 2013 and Nell is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Nell was a loving daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Final arrangements for Nell Walker will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Indiana Funeral Care at 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250. Family viewing is at 10:00 AM, Public viewing is at 11:00 AM and the service will be at 1:00 PM. Burial service will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens at 9700 Allisonville Road in the Eternal Peace section. Live streaming of the services will be available 5 minutes prior at the Zoom link below.