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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

In the eyes of many, longtime local realtor Pat Walker was truly one-of-a-kind. To know her was to love her, and once someone met her they were friends for life.

And though she is now gone, those who knew her say they will never forget her. Walker passed away last month on March 28, at the age of 86, and the community has since seen an outpouring of love for the longtime realtor, friend, daughter, and sister.

“Pat knew everyone and nobody who met Pat ever forgot Pat,” said longtime friend David Frost, also a fellow realtor in the profession. “She was like a celebrity wherever she went and was universally admired.”

In both her work and her personal life, those who knew her characterized Walker as someone who was always encouraging others, constantly seeking opportunities to be a light in someone’s light and to lift them up with words of affirmation, praise, and more.

She will be remembered by many, friends said, for her loyalty, generosity, and kindness that was one of a kind.

“I remember many times when a friend was in need, Pat was fast to send food, money or some of her encouraging words or all three…She was a mentor to many professionally and personally,” Efferson said. “(She was) quick to assist with anything and at any time. Devoted to her family… So many of us feel the loss of this truly great and one of a kind woman.”

Flo Perry, who said she met Walker in 2012, said she watched Walker become the “church mom” to many in her church as she displayed the warmth and compassion friends say was instantly palpable upon meeting her.

“I was immediately impressed by her warmth, humor, and deep faith. I grew to love and admire her as did most people who got to know her,” Perry said. “… Her love of people was so obvious.”

Walker’s profession was as a realtor, where she helped buyers and sellers in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and more for more than 40 years before her retirement. And many acknowledged that she was phenomenal realtor, one who was a top producer at multiple brokerages and owned a Keller Williams office in Oak Forest.

““She shared her wisdom and professionalism as well as her clients. Pat had very loyal clients, many of whom she had assisted with multiple real estate transactions over many years,” Efferson said.

But many said that she was also much more than simply a realtor helping a client. She became so closely embedded with some of those she helped buy or sell a home that she was invited to come to special events in the family’s lives such as birthdays, baby showers, housewarmings, anniversaries, and weddings.

“She gave of her time, talents, and treasures wherever she was engaged. She loved and was dedicated to her family and friends. You knew when you were with Pat that she gave you her full attention,” said Rev. Leslie Jackson, the senior pastor at St. Peter United Church of Christ, where Walker attended. “... Pat lived life to the fullest, but for all she took from life she gave it back tenfold to those of us that knew her well.”

That kind of relationship, friends said, was one of the many things that made her almost a larger than life person in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and surrounding communities.

“She served her community in such a positive way,” said Lauren Amaro with Nan and Company Properties. “Her clients didn’t see her as just their realtor, more like a family member.”

For Efferson, it was a friendship she didn’t even see coming. She and Walker attended the same church for a while, Efferson said, but never really knew one another. Then one day out of the blue, she Walker called her up to take her out to lunch.

And her personality, Efferson said, was instantly almost magnetic and one that those who met Walker throughout her life could not help getting drawn in by.

“She was – from our first meeting – a person that would always be an important part of my life, personally and professionally,” Efferson said. “…. It seemed as though she knew everyone and everyone that knew her loved her.”

And even as serious as she was about her work and decades-long career in real estate, those who know said she could also cut loose with the best of them. Frost said she loved having a good time and often ran over to Las Vegas to play and see a show.

Efferson remembered Walker joking she could not retire because “she loved shoes, hats and a new Cadillac,” and that she had special collection of unique hats that she never failed to bust out for special occasions. Whatever the occasion, she was always ready.

“We always had a giggle and a laugh about some crazy story we’d heard or one of life’s endless absurdities,” Frost said.“I will miss her terribly.”

Amaro echoed the senti- ment. “Pat’s witty humor and ability to light up any room (stands out),” Amaro said. “She was full of jokes and enjoyed making people have a good laugh.”

And though she is now gone, the light that she shined onto and into others’ lives will not be forgotten in the eyes, hearts, or memories of those who say they were cherished and blessed enough to know her.

She will live on forever in their hearts, a person whose impact on their lives will be there for the rest of their lives.

“If you knew her, you knew unconditional love, respect and a bond that true friendship brings,” Efferson said. “I know that Pat Walker is now with all of the angels that went before her. And friends, that means there is a big celebration in heaven.”

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In the 1930’s and 40’s, Moscow, Texas was like many small East Texas farming communities that had all the necessities for life: a school, a Baptist church, a general store and a funeral parlor. The funeral parlor was located in a large, two story white house with a circular front porch, white picket fence, and sat atop one of Moscow’s rust colored hills that also served as the home of Pat’s great uncle and aunt, Kirby and Clara Walker. This was the home and town where Patricia Jean Walker grew up.

The circumstances that took her to Moscow to live as a baby and subsequently adopted by the Walker family aren’t as important as the love and a life she was given by the Walkers that her mother, Dede, could ill afford as a young, poor, single Mom. Pat would often say that she was not only adopted by the Walkers, but was also adopted by the town of Moscow because anywhere “Miss Pat” went, she felt the protective eyes of her community. No doubt her childhood experiences are what led to her empathy for others growing up with much less than she had.

After graduating from Corrigan High, Pat attended Stephen F Austin college, but the big city and neon lights of Houston called her to a life of adventure. Her first job was at the Heights Library. For sure, anyone who knew Pat would say that she was not cut out to be a librarian. At the first opportunity, she left the books behind and took an entry level job at Southwestern Bell, working her way up to a management position where she retired and subsequently became a real estate agent serving the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest neighborhoods.

Real estate was a perfect fit for Pat. Her generous spirit and love of helping others navigate the sometimes emotional and often complicated world of selling or buying their most important asset. Also, she thrived on the socializing aspects her job offered. She enjoyed helping new agents get a start in the business. If there was a fund raiser or community event, she was always there as a volunteer, raising money and often a soft touch for those in need.

Pat and sister, Nancy Rust, were joined at the hip throughout life and known in the community simply as “The Sisters”. They lived together, worked and took care of each other for many years. Their home was always welcoming where friends would sometimes drop by just to hang out. If you were ever fortunate enough to be invited to a Thanksgiving dinner in their home, normally a daylong event with mountains of food, laughter, camaraderie, and love, you would be retelling the day for years to come.

Pat suffered with COPD for many years and died peacefully at home under the care of her beloved sister. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Rust of Houston; brother, Ray Mathis of Seattle; nephew, Adam Mathis of San Francisco .

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held in the early summer. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Pat’s memory can make a donation to her church, “St. Peter United Church, Pat Walker Memorial Fund”. Donations can be made on line at stpeterunited.com.