Reabon Walker, age 67, of Vernon, AL passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021 at his residence.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 1:00pm from the Otts Funeral Home Chapel with Military Honors Graveside services and burial to follow in Furnace Hill Cemetery in Vernon, AL.  Pastor Odessa Wallace and Supt. Murry Johnson to officiate.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral service from 12:00pm until 1:00pm.

Pallbearers: Edward Holliday, Mac Washington, Mayor Glenn Crawford, Lee Turner, Billy Turner,

and Rayburn Coleman

Reflections on the Life of Reabon Walker

Reabon Walker was born the last of three children to Stella Mae Walker and Glenn Walker in Sulligent, AL on July 13, 1953. He departed this life on February 13, 2021 at 1:25 p.m.

Reabon grew up about six miles south of Beaverton, AL. At the age of twelve his family moved to Indianapolis, IN. After living there eight years, he returned to his home in Vernon, AL where he opened the first black owned and licensed store in the city which consisted of pool tables and pinball games. He also sold hotdogs, candies, drinks and other food items.

After realizing that he needed more Business Education, he joined the Vernon Army National Guard in November 1973 and completed one and a half years of service. When he realized they did not offer any college benefits, he joined the U.S. Navy in March of 1975 and completed his service in March of 1979. He returned to Indianapolis, IN where he started college in August of 1979. While attending college, he opened another store similar to the first one he had in Vernon, AL.

By 1984, Reabon had three stores and three college degrees: one in Business, one in Marketing and one in Industrial Supervision. In July of 1984, he went to Real Estate school earned a Real Estate License. At that point he sold the stores and focused on just Real Estate.

In 1986, he went back to school and earned a Real Estate Broker License which allowed him to open his own Real Estate office as  R & R Realtor. He continued doing Real Estate until 1990 and then moved back home to Vernon, AL. Marie McClellan whom he had previously met in Indianapolis, became his bride on July 13, 1990.

In 1995, he opened the first black owned Real Estate Office in Lamar County known as "Real Estate Unlimited". During this time, he was enrolled in Real Estate Appraisal School and became the first black Real Estate Licensed and Certified Appraiser in Lamar County. He continued his businesses until 2009 when he retired due to back surgery.

Reabon served as the first black on the Vernon Planning Board and worked with and co-founded the Lamar County Genealogical & Historical Society where he served as V.P., Treasurer and President. He also helped co-found the L.C.T.S./T.H.S, Inc. (Lamar County Training School/Todd High School, Inc.) In 1998, he served on the Vernon Industrial Board, the Vernon Medical Board and as the Recording Treasurer for L.C.T.S./T.H.S., Inc. He was also a member of the Local Masonic Lodge.

When he decided to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior, he attended United Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were: his mother, Stella Mae Walker; his father, Glenn Walker; sister, Saderia Means Walker; brother, Rex Leroy Walker.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Marie Walker of Vernon, AL; four daughters: Twila (Sherman) Lipscomb of Chesapeake, VA, Tawni Walker (Erick) Cooper of Norfolk, VA, Bjanka Myles (the late Keith Myles, Sr.) of Sulligent, AL, Pamela (Robert) Ivy of Indianapolis, IN; two step-children: Tara Hampton and Tracy McClellan, both of Vernon, AL; thirteen grandchildren: Keith Myles, Jr., Kelsey Myles, Rodney Ivy, Anthony King, Andrea King, Chay Cooper, Ramsey Cooper, Bailey Cooper, Anthony Lipscomb, Tenecia Lipscomb, DeVante' McClellan, Lorenzo Hampton, and Anthony McClellan; nieces: Gail Bracken and Melissa Wallace both of Dayton, OH, and Cynthia Nowlin of Missouri City, TX; aunt: Essie Metcalfe of Sulligent, AL and many other relatives and friends.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing