Karla Fay Walker, 77, of Strafford, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in her home.

Karla was born on August 28, 1948, in Higden, Arkansas, to Claudia and Billy Potter. She grew up in Higden and moved to Jonesboro, AR in 1960. Karla graduated from Valley View High School with honors. On June 1, 1966, she married the love of her life, Richard Walker, at Nettleton Church of God.  Together, they spent the next 50+ years building a life centered around faith, family, and love.

Karla was a woman of deep faith and unwavering strength. She was a devoted Christian, a faithful servant, and a true prayer warrior. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others, both through her career as a nurse and through the many ways she served her family, church, and community. She was known for her friendliness, loving heart, her strength, her generosity, and perhaps most famously her ability to make everyone feel at home around her kitchen table.

Growing up, Karla loved spending time on the family farm. She was always imagining grand adventures like being “Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” and playing with the baby animals.

With her late husband, Richard, Karla loved spending time camping and making memories with her family. In her later years, she could often be found watching the NBA and MLB. She found joy in the simple things: time with family, a good game on television, a camping trip, a home-cooked meal, and opportunities to love and serve others.

Karla was involved in many organizations and causes throughout her life, including her beloved Widowed Women’s Group at High Street Church, where she found fellowship, friendship, and an opportunity to continue serving others.

In January 2026, Karla was honored with the opportunity to participate in a documentary through Barnes Jewish Hospital, allowing her story and experiences to be captured and shared with others. It was a meaningful reflection of the remarkable life she lived and the impact she had on those around her.

Karla’s greatest joy was her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends fiercely and unconditionally. Her legacy of faith, strength, compassion, hospitality, and love will continue through the many lives she touched.

Karla was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Walker; her parents, Billy and Claudia Potter;  her parents-in-law, Herbert and Edna Walker; and two dear sisters-in-law, Helen Price and Peggy Brooks.

She is survived by her children, Christy Walker Duffel, Stacy Walker Soden and her husband, Brett Soden; grandchildren, Karly Wilson and her husband, Brady, Seth Soden, and Christa Duffel; brother, Gary Potter and his wife, Charlotte; sister, Karen Murphy and her husband, Charles Marlin; brother, Tim Potter and his wife, Shawn, and as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole St., Springfield, MO 65809. Funeral services will follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. Internment will follow at Dishman Cemetery in Strafford, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Together We Build Project at High Street Baptist Church,  900 N. Eastgate Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802.

https://highstreet.churchcenter.com/giving/to/together-we-build

Karla leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years, but in the countless lives she touched. Her faith, prayers, love, and strength will live on in her family and in all who had the privilege of knowing her. She is now reunited with Richard and resting in the arms of her Savior.

Her story will always be remembered, but her journey here has come to an end.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23