Ruth Emma McDowell Walker

November 1, 1938 - November 14, 2018

Ruth Emma Walker, 80, of Federalsburg, left this world for the next on November 14, 2018 to be with her Lord and Savior. She was born on November 1, 1938 on All Saint’s Day to the late George and Ruth Houston McDowell in Elkton, Maryland. She was the oldest child in a family of four, who was often like a mother to her younger sisters and brother. After graduating from North East High School she attended nursing school in Wilmington, Delaware. She married the love of her life, Dan E. Walker, Sr. on June 16, 1957 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Northeast, MD. The newlyweds moved to Illinois so her husband could attend seminary. Together they had four children; a son and three daughters; who they raised throughout her husband’s time serving Methodist churches on the Eastern Shore (Wingate, Mardela Springs, Rock Hall and Federalsburg). Ruth was active in every community they served, from serving in her children’s school PTA and helping begin the Kent Ecology Organization in Kent County, MD. She also co-authored the history of Wesley Chapel in Rock Hall, and completed a history of all the pastors at Christ United Methodist Church in Federalsburg. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, their choir and the United Methodist Women. She worked at the Methodist Manor House in Seaford, Delaware for 12 years. Grandma was her favorite name and a role she excelled and delighted in. She loved being silly and creating memories and traditions for her family. She was a prolific writer who still hand wrote every letter and card she sent; sending upwards of 100 each month. She and her husband were both members of the Whirl-A-Ways square dance club. In addition to her husband of 62 years, Rev. Dan E. Walker, Sr., she is survived by her son, Dan E. Walker, Jr. (Carol); daughters, Teresa L. Beauchamp (John); Julia A. Wood (Bill) and Nancy M. Robinson (David). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dan E. Walker, III, Joshua C. Beauchamp, Timothy A. Beauchamp, Christina Elizabeth Wood, Robert A. Scudder, Nathanael J. Robinson, and Emma G. Robinson; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Dan and Mavis. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Narvel, a brother, James McDowell, a half-sister Jean Hoffman, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Georgia K. Blevins. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church in Federalsburg with the Reverend Jim Michaels and the Reverend Pamela Bockart officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 19th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment will be Wednesday, November 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Wesley Cemetery in Rock Hall, MD. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 234, Federalsburg, MD 21632. Services entrusted to the Framptom Funeral Home, Federalsburg. Share memories with the family at www.framptom.com