Ann Martin Walke

Virginia Ann Martin Walke, born June 30, 1929, in Marshall, TX, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the age of 96. She was the daughter of Virginia Caven Martin and John Carmichael (“Jack” or “J.C.”) Martin of Marshall, TX. She was a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School and attended The Hockaday School in Dallas and Southern Methodist University where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She married David Hicks Walke on May 26, 1953, in Shreveport where they raised their children, Virginia Caven Walke Simmons (Laurence Ellison, “L.E.”), David Hicks Walke Jr. (Charlsie), Barbara Nell Walke Howell (Travis Michael, “Mike,” deceased), and John Martin Walke (Mary Leah).

Ann loved gardening. She was a member of the Shreveport Garden Study Club and could frequently be seen clipping greenery in her yard, “bringing the outside in,” as did her mother. She was also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Shreveport, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, the Cotillion Club, and the Demoiselle Club of Shreveport, and she was a member of First Methodist Church of Shreveport.

She earned her real estate license and worked for several local real estate companies including Beal Locke & Associates and Coldwell Banker Gosslee, and she helped establish Towery Realty. During slow times in the real estate business, she would put her own house on the market and sell it, not necessarily identifying a place where her family would move next, which kept them on their toes. Her most enjoyable moments were spent with her family and being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cousins. With her passing, she hands over the mantle of Martin family matriarch to her first cousin, Dorothy “Dotti” Martin Timmins.

In addition to her community support, Ann enjoyed her Wednesday lunch bunch, a regular card group (Onze or Gin Rummy), a raucous game of Rummikub with friends or grandchildren, and decorating her house for every holiday, large or small. She made the best chocolate pie and made it often! When her children were growing up, she hosted Kick-the-Can and Capture-the-Flag games, prepared fried chicken and chocolate sheet cake for the neighborhood kids and always had an open door and open bed if someone was passing through town. When her children were young, she took them to the Line Avenue School (which was condemned at the time) and let them slide speedily down the circular fire escape while sitting on sheets of wax paper. She stayed young at heart until her last breath.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, David Hicks Walke; her son-in-law, Mike Howell; and her brother, John Carmichael (“Jack”) Martin Jr. She was a very proud grandmother to Virginia Ellison Simmons Williams (Cramer), William Martin Simmons (Paige), David Martin Walke (Jaclyn), Lauren Elizabeth Walke Eldredge (Spencer), Kathryn Anne Knight Wood (David), Molly Ann Walke, and Mary Emily “Mimi” Walke. She was great-grandmother to Henry Laurence Williams, Virginia Ann “Annie” Williams, Jack Ellison Simmons, Raleigh Paige Simmons, McCall Murray Simmons, Grey Caven Simmons, Caroline Anne Wood, Camille Andrews Wood, and Emma Hadley Walke. She is also survived by a nephew, John Carmichael “Mike” Martin III (Gail), and a niece, Susan Martin Gage (Tommy), as well as numerous Martin and Caven family cousins whom she loved dearly.

The family is grateful for the loving and compassionate care of Patricia Thompson, Dr. Jimbo Jackson, and Dr. David Clemons, St. Joseph Hospice, and the staff of Elite Healthcare Solutions.

Services will be Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First Methodist Church, 500 Common St., Shreveport in the Couch Chapel at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.