Walker.--The Rev. Rufus Walker died at his home near Clifton, Wayne county, Tenn., May 25, 1890, of congestion, after only a short illness. Brother Walker was a son of W. B. and Ann Walker, the youngest of seven sons. He was born April 29, 1829, and in youth gave his heart to Christ and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church at New Providence. Nothing is more beautiful than a young life given to Christ, and then consecrated to his service. Nothing is nobler than a life giving itself up in labors of love for others, preaching to them the blessed gospel of grace. With him three other brothers, J. M., W. C., and J.F. Walker, are ministers of the gospel--he being the first to drop his mantle and go. He was taken under the care of Richland Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry, April 27, 1857, in company with A. A. Baker and S. H. Holmes. Licensed at McCain's, Maury county, April 24, 1858, with A. A. Baker, S. H. Holmes, and John M. Davis. In company with D. C. Kinnard, J. B. Calhoun, and J. B. Gracey, was ordained April 22, 1859, at Spring Hill, Tenn. He was married to Miss Alice Voorhies, 1854, to whom were born nine children, seven of whom live to feel the loss of a father as well as that of a mother, who preceded the husband to the reward of the faithful. During Brother Walker's ministerial life he was an active presbyter, serving in all the important trusts, on committees, moderator, commissioner to synods and General Assembly at Waco, 1888. He was of a quiet disposition, reserved even in church courts, but safe in council, acting on the principle that it is better to keep quiet if one has nothing to say. His life for the most part has been spent in Wayne county, among churches that have given him but a meager support; but "serving his generation," he labored constantly and faithfully in the field where God had placed him--looking to heaven for the full rewards of his labor. His pure life, labors of love, and his sermons of truth shall long live in the hearts of his people. "He being dead, yet speaketh." At the time of his death he was pastor of two churches, which are now left shepherdless, with no one now to take his place. May the great Shepherd feed and care for his flock. In his death we lose a pure, good man, a wise, trusted counselor, and an earnest faithful preacher.
          I. N. YOKLEY.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, August 14, 1890, page 8]

Mortuary

Name: R. S. Walker
Presbytery: Richland
Time of Death: 1890

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 38]