Charlotte May Walker

 With great sadness we announce that Charlotte May Walker, 85, passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. She was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 2, 1936, the daughter of James Ezra and Lula Terrell Walker.

Charlotte remained a “Virginia Girl” her entire life. She graduated from James Monroe High School in 1954, Mary Washington College (now University) in 1958, and then Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. That same year, she became the first female minister of music in Virginia. She put her heart and soul into the music ministry of numerous churches: Fredericksburg Baptist Church, Rivermont Avenue Church in Lynchburg, Derbyshire Church in Richmond, and Fairview Church in Fredericksburg. 

Charlotte was one of the founders of the Virginia Women’s Chorale. She was accomplished in organ and piano music, as well as singing. In her high school years, she was a member of a singing group known as the Eight P’s. She played piano to accompany her high school chorus and numerous local chorales. She loved many kinds of music, especially symphony, religious, and theater.

Charlotte later worked for a law firm in Richmond, VA. In 1998, she returned to her hometown to help care for her aging parents. At that time, she also worked as a receptionist for the Free Lance-Star. 

She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Theisz; nephews Gordon Theisz (Melissa Teates) and Michael Theisz; great-nephew Alex Teates; and great-nieces Delaney Theisz and Ciara Theisz. Her great-nieces are following career paths that Charlotte set in her love for theater and music.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister Betty Jean Walker.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401.