Maxine Walkup Walker, 99, of Columbia, departed this life on Monday, August 3, 2026.
She was born in Jamestown, on December 3, 1926, the daughter of the Samuel Lawrence Walkup and Josephine Dunbar Walkup. She graduated from Jamestown High School in 1944 and Lindsey Wilson Jr. College in 1946. After teaching school for three years, she married William L. “Bill” Walker, who had just returned from serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and she met two weeks before Lindsey Wilson graduation on May 10, 1948. Bill died March 13, 1992. Together they owned and operated Meadow Hill Inn and Walker Florist. She was a member of Columbia United Methodist Church for over 75 years.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Walkup and James Lawrence Walkup.
Survivors include: One son Larry and Cindy Walker of Columbia; one daughter Debbie and Ben Cosentino of East Hanover, New Jersey; two sisters Marie Gosser of Somerset and Jean Combs of Louisville; four grandchildren Ben Cosentino (Sandy), Jessica Cosentino, Natalie Goodin (Neil) and Wes Walker (Baylee); seven great-grandchildren Michael and Anthony Cosentino, Alley, Barrett and Walker Goodin, Maeve and Grace Walker
Funeral service will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Neil Janes officiating. With burial in Columbia Cemetery. Visitation after 9:00 A.M. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, Maxine requested that donations be made to Columbia United Methodist Church, which can be left at the funeral home
Casket Bearers are Mike Combs, Larry Wells, Wes Walker, Ben Cosentino, Jr., Jim Flowers, Joe Flowers
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
