Nancy Walker Alexander
Nancy Walker Alexander passed away on October 31, 2025, after a long illness, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Murray and Mary Hamilton Goatley Walker of Springfield, Kentucky; and brother-in-law, Charlie King. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, David, her children, Michael (Martha) of Raleigh NC, Mary Anne (Scott) of Raleigh NC, and Brian (Ragan) of Floyd County VA; grandchildren Rebekkah, Jessica, Emma and Maxwell; her brother, James Murray Walker Jr. of Springfield KY; and sister, Ann King of Bardstown KY—her best friend and cherished Friday-morning phone companion. Born in Springfield, Kentucky, she graduated from Western Kentucky University with majors in Biology and English (forever the “grammar police”). She married David in 1963, and they had their three children while living in Bowling Green Kentucky before moving to Blacksburg, Virginia, where she made a lifelong home. She treasured her family, her church, and the countless friendships formed through activism and travel to more than 30 countries. Her joyful curiosity and deep respect for others guided her life and legacy. A devoted member of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church since the 1970s, she served as Elder, Sunday School teacher, and leader in peace and justice ministries, earning the Presbyterian Women’s Lifetime Award in 2015. Her faith was simple and profound: “God is Love” (1 John 4:16) and “God is a verb.” She dedicated her career to community service at Cooper House Campus Ministry and through local and international peace work, especially The Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA) and the Coalition for Justice in Central America. Her commitment to compassion and advocacy earned her recognition as Kiwanis “Layperson of the Year” (1994) and the AAUW “Community Leader” Award (1995). Memorial donations may be made to Blacksburg Presbyterian Church’s Shear Endowment for Peacemaking Education (https://www.blacksburgpres.org/give; please note “For Nancy Alexander” in the Memo section of the online form or personal check), CEDEPCA (USA) (https://cedepca.org/en/donate/), or the New River Land Trust (https://www.newriverlandtrust.org/support-our-work-1). Services will occur at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, VA, on November 22, 2025, at 11:00 am, and at a later date in Springfield, KY.

