Mr. Walter James Gildersleeve

In Loving Memory Of WALTER JAMES GILDERSLEEVE (Affectionately Known As Walter James, Walt Love, Pops, Poppa Sleeve, Walt Cat and "Who Dat"), was born in a small, southern town called Anne Manie, in Alabama, on May 5, 1943 to Ms. Fannie Bridges And Mr. Phillip Gildersleeve. Although born into the lives of his beautiful mother and father, Walter was, ultimately, raised by his biological grandmother, Ms. Ellen Bridges, where he grew up in a spiritual household and committed his life to the Lord, Jesus Christ at a very young age. As a young child, Walter James was a very special and outgoing type of person. He and his close cousin Richard Bridges were very active and ambitious, and always looking for a way to make their personal circumstances better... Walter and Richard attended several Alabama Public Schools, together, during their adolescent years. And they both ended up completing their courses, with Walter James graduating from Anne Manie High School. Shortly thereafter, they both decided to relocate, up North, to find gainful employment and properly establish themselves for their adult futures... On December 4, 1964, both, Walter James and his cousin Richard arrived in Detroit, MI, in search of a good-paying factory job. And as fate would have it, they both applied, and were hired into Chrysler Corporation Assembly Plant, On East Jefferson, On the exact same day, Wednesday, September 22, 1965. They were, now, amongst the Unionized Membership of the great Local #7. Subsequently, and later on around the mid 1960's, Walter had an encounter with a remarkable young woman by the name of Ms. Francine Guyton. The two hit it off, instantly, and not long afterward, they became married and his first son, Walter James Gildersleeve, Jr., was born into this world. As a strong, passionate father in his household, Walter did everything in his power to be the best patriarch, protector and provider he could possibly be. And even though his first marriage to Mrs. Guyton-Gildersleeve proved to be unsuccessful, Walter later decided to give Love one more shot when he exchanged nuptials with Ms. Eula Mae Walker, and became a father to several more children, including Lee Walker, Valerie Walker, Artelia Hunter, Christopher Walker, Keith Walker, Victor Walker, and his baby boy, Michael Gildersleeve. Walter was one of the greatest family-men that anyone could have ever imagined. He also had an entire host of extended family members and friends whom he, religiously, enjoyed spending quality time with. He shared numerous, pleasant memories with some of his favorite Uncles, Aunts and Cousins on a consistent basis. From Leroy Michael (and Family), Richard Bridges (and Family), Roy Houston (and Family), Ruby Bridges (and Family), James Robinson, Bill Robinson, Lawrence and many, many others. The list goes on and on... Walter James also enjoyed partaking in one of his favorite pastimes - Horse Racing! He used to win a lot, too! Around January of 2001, Walter, humbly, re-dedicated his life to the Lord, and began attending Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church, under the Pastorship of the late Reverend Oscar Hayes (Succeeded by Pastor, Reverend Kevin Harris) with his wife, Eula Mae Gildersleeve. Walter and Eula shared nearly 34 spectacular years of marriage before she, finally, returned to God's Essence, on February 26, 2015. Walter was also preceded in death by his bonus son, Christopher Walker, grandsons, Christopher Lee Marvin Walker and Donnie Short, as well as his own biological mother and father. Walter James was a very kind-hearted, loving, hard-working, outgoing, sharp-dressing, humorous and supportive individual. He, literally, would give you the shirt off of his own back. Unfortunately, however, numerous health issues, eventually, overcame his physical body, and Walter succumbed to his intense medical battle. Walter leaves to cherish in his memory his Children: Walter J. Gildersleeve, Jr., Lee Marvin Walker, Valerie Walker, Artelia Hunter, Keith Walker, Victor Walker, Alicia White-Walker (Daughter-In-Law), Michael Gildersleeve and Kesha Wheatly; Grandchildren: Kelli Stewart, Miah Walker (Turner), Juan Turner, Micah Walker (Short), Mykeal Walker, Kieara Walker, Markeis Walker, Sade Blaine, Christelia Dean, Rayion Myatt and True-Serenity Walker; Great-Grandchildren: King and Rockel Johnson, Baby Breeze, Jeremiah, Mariah and Melody Short, Alexander and Aiden Turner, Makylah, Janylah and Mykeal Jr. (MJ), Ra'Lynn and Kallie (Walker), "Little Markeis", Mason and "Little Chris" (Walker), and a whole host of Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and other relatives, family members and friends.

Mr. Walter James Gildersleeve

May 5, 1943 - July 1, 2022