ObituaryMary Elizabeth Walker, 88 of Lehigh Acres, went home to be with the Lord, February 7, 2005. She was born in Kinmundy, IL on August 26, 1916 as the fifth of eight children to Louis and Nettie (Dawkins) Outhouse. She was the last surviving member of her family. Mary grew up in a very strict household. Her mother would not let her attend school parties or date boys too early in life. The only place she was encouraged to go was to the church across the street.At the tender age of 15 she met her future husband, Foster E. Walker; she was allowed to date him only because her mother knew his family. After a two-year courtship, she married Foster on November 18, 1933. The marriage lasted until Foster died 53 years later. From that marriage she gave birth to seven sons, who survive, and one daughter who was still born. During WWII, she, like countless other American women during that time, raised her children alone while her husband was fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Islands. She never complained about the hardship of the war years, and with her children gathered around her, steadfastly took each day as it came until her husband returned home after the war.She lived the first 44 years of her life in Illinois and Indiana. However, in 1960 she moved to Alaska to live on a homestead and remained there for 26 years. She returned to Mattoon, IL in 1987 to be near her remaining family. She stayed there until 1988 when she moved to Florida because of her failing health.Mary often said her greatest joy was her kids and her fondest memories were about having a nice home and her family life with the children. She liked to travel and loved seeing and visiting other places, even though she never traveled out of the country.In addition to her husband Foster she was preceded in death by her five brothers and two sisters.Her legacy includes seven Walker sons and daughters-in-law: Melvin and Julie, Denver, CO; Larry and Mary, Lehigh Acres, FL; Rev. Donald and Mary Lou, New Albany, IN; Pete and Cheryl, Wilmington, NC; Joseph and Diane, Trapper Creek, AK; Rev. David and Sarah, Kansas City, KS; Robert and Sonia, Anchorage, AK; 20 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; many loving step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 11, 2005 at the Lehigh Acres Church of the Nazarene. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Entombment will follow in Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements by Farley Funeral Home, Lehigh Acres.