Pubdate: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA) Copyright: 2003 Ledger-Enquirer Contact: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237 Author: Kelli Esters, Staff Writer Note: Staff Writer Chuck Williams contributed to this report. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Kenneth+Brown+Walker SEEKING TRIUMPH AMID TRAGEDY 'Columbus, Georgia, I Am Here to Tell You God's Up to Something' From the pulpit of a packed church, the Rev. Daryl Stover summed up the death of his friend Kenneth B. Walker in one sentence. "Columbus, Georgia," the Decatur minister said, pausing, "I am here to tell you God's up to something." Filled with emotion and pain, Stover and hundreds of others came to St. Mary's Road United Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate Walker's life and question the circumstances of his death. Walker, 39, was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy a week ago. The details of the shooting are still under investigation. During the services Tuesday, Walker was described as a devoted husband, father and son; respected in his church; a 15-year employee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield; a Kendrick High School basketball star; and a dedicated brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Many of those present at the funeral were middle class professionals. Some wore ID badges from Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Others waved their hands as the choir sung songs asking God to order their steps and tell their hearts what he wants them to do. All were hurting. The usher board, which Walker used to serve on, walked around the church passing out tissues and consoling grieving family members. A number of elected officials and city leaders attended the funeral. The people in the crowded church included U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, Superior Court Judge John Allen, state Sen. Ed Harbison, state Rep. Calvin Smyre, Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff, City Manager Carmen Cavezza, and Columbus councilors Nathan Suber, Evelyn Pugh, Julius Hunter, Jack Rodgers and Glenn Davis. The Rev. Douglas Force, pastor of Walker's home church St. Mary's Road United Methodist, called Walker "a gem of a human being." Force spoke briefly before the eulogist came to the pulpit, telling the congregation even though they are feeling "tired and slaughtered," it's time to be "ambassadors of peace." He also shared an experience where he felt racially profiled by Columbus law enforcement. "Every stop may be our last. There are too many people in this country who don't understand that," Force said. "It's time we stop living in denial. It's time to start holding folks accountable for their position." John Wilson shared memories of his friend Walker while showing no shame in his tears. He said Walker was not a typical only child, but the exact opposite -- "self sacrificing." "We can't make sense out of senselessness," Wilson said. There was laughter through the tears as Varrick McIntosh, a childhood neighbor, shared stories of him and Walker growing up. He told the congregation of their using their Cub Scout training to make a fire in the forest Saturday mornings to cook bacon and hotdogs, or exercising the night before Christmas so they would be able to sleep through the night. Walker's 3-year-old daughter, Kayla, was not present. His wife, Cheryl, and mother, Emily, were comforted by family members. Stover, who grew up in Columbus, delivered the eulogy. He said it was a tragic event that led to hundreds of mourners filing in that church Tuesday, but encouraged them to "triumph over tragedy." "God has not left Kayla. God has not left Cheryl," Stover said. "He is going to give you double for your trouble." Stover looked at "Mother Walker." "You don't have one son, you have many sons," he said. At that time, those who were members of the Omega fraternity stood and clapped. Stover said even though there is a lot of confusion as to why Walker died, the big picture is Walker now has a higher purpose. "That night a regular man become a soldier in the army of God," Stover said. "I have the last word over a good soldier." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake