Josephine E. "Jody" Walker

Josephine E. "Jody" Walker, 64, of Sonoita died on Sept. 3, 2015.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at First Assembly of God in Casa Grande, with the funeral following at 10. Burial will be at 11:30 in Mountain View Cemetery. A memorial service also will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at First United Pentecostal Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Brother Ray Johnson will officiate.

Mrs. Walker was born on March 15, 1951, in Fort Collins, Colorado, and was a daughter of Roy and Fawn Echeverria. She was a homemaker and also operated a bed and breakfast, The Walker Ranch, with her husband on their property in Sonoita. It is a "home away from home" and will continue to honor her spirit of hospitality and love.

She was a devoted Christian with a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus with anyone she met. She was an active member of First United Pentecostal Church in Denham Springs and visited there every chance she had. She loved traveling around the world, enjoying different places and cultures. She was a strong member of her Sonoita community, serving as president of the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District for six years beginning in 2002. She also served on the board of Santa Cruz Performing Arts. She loved hosting concerts in her home and appreciated many forms of art. She was happy working in her garden while singing and praying for everyone she knew. She loved and was loved by many and was a servant at all times, overflowing with the grace of God’s love.

Survivors include her husband, Ted W.; three daughters, Erica Maran of Sydney, Australia, Sarah Van Pelt of Tucson and Leigh Hardt of Sonoita; three brothers, Jim Echeverria of Center, Colorado, Richard and John Echeverria of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Deborah Fain of Sonoita and Lily Gold of Livingston, Montana; and seven grandchildren, with another expected. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Roy Echeverria Jr.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.