VIRTUAL | SUNDAY, JULY 20TH, 2025 | 5 PM EST

“On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, Josie was laid to rest. I made the three hour drive to Trenton, NC from Greensboro, NC . I found myself grateful to be in space with Josie’s family, friends, and colleagues who all shared love and care for Josie’s life and legacy. I felt as though there were many people who couldn’t make it to her service since her death was so sudden. During the funeral repast, among other friends of Josie, the thought came upon me that we may need a virtual memorial service for all of those individuals near and far who want to gather to preserve the legacy of Josie Walker.“

- Chanel A. Nestor, conference host

About JOSIE

Obituary- Josie Walker entered this world on January 1, 1977 in New Bern, NC. and departed unexpectedly of natural causes on June 10, 2025.

She attended St. Paul's Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and later graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics-one of the happiest times of her life-where she made lifelong friends. She went on to earn a degree in Mathematics from UNC Charlotte, followed by a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Systems from North Carolina A&T State University.

A lifelong learner with an adventurous spirit, Josie embraced opportunities to live, work, and serve in a variety of places. She spent several years in Karlsruhe, Germany, teaching English, worked with AmeriCorps in New England, taught mathematics at Jones Senior High School, and volunteered at the International House of Rhode Island.

For over a decade, she led community garden efforts and sustainable agriculture initiatives across Eastern North Carolina. She co-founded the Black Seed Saving Collective, served on advisory boards for NC Community Garden Partners and Common Ground of Eastern NC. and worked with national networks such as FaithLands and the Black Church Food Security Network. In 2020, she was honored as a Plant Champion by Seed Your Future for her dedication to plant education and food justice.

Josie had an encyclopedic knowledge of plants, a deep love for cooking and crochet, and never passed up a good sale. She enjoyed playing board games, dancing, listening to music, and taking a nap.

There are no words that can fully capture who Josie was or what she meant to those who loved her. She will be deeply missed.

Josie is survived by her mother, Julia: siblings Sonya, Michael (Wendy), and Vonni (Michael); and nephens Roderick (Lu) and Teddy. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph.