Jani Beth Blackerby Walker

Jani Beth Blackerby Walker passed away on April 15, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. Beth was born December 18, 1937, in Anson, Texas to Lester and Clytis Blackerby.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Clarendon on Friday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. A private burial service will be at Clarendon Citizen’s Cemetery.

Beth attended 13 different schools in 12 years of public school. Despite that, she graduated top of her class from Snyder, Oklahoma, in 1956. Lester had moved the family there to pastor the small rural church at Pleasant Valley. This move brought Jefferson Lonzo Walker, Jr. into Beth’s orbit, and they began a long-distance dating relationship. After high school, Beth attended Jacksonville Baptist College as well as Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, and West Texas State University. On April 25, 1959, Jeff and Beth were married in Jacksonville, Texas. The couple moved to Clarendon in 1964 where they remained until 2020. They had three children, Sherilyn Jan Walker Robinson, Kristen Leigh Walker Musser, and Douglas Jeff Walker. Later, Dee Ann Cook Wilson became a part of Jeff and Beth’s family.

Beth spent most of her career in the legal field. She worked for Lowe, Courtney, and Shelton, Attorneys at Law for years as a legal secretary and subsequently, as a legal assistant. In her later career, she became deeply involved in the Texas Association of Legal Secretaries and then the National Association of Legal Secretaries serving in various positions and offices. In 1976, she was awarded Texas Legal Secretary of the Year. Beth was frequently sought out as a speaker across the nation and loved the opportunity to train the younger generation of legal professionals.

Beth enjoyed her many years of volunteering in the music ministry at First Baptist Church, Clarendon. She was a children’s choir director, youth choir director and often subbed as the adult choir director when needed. Worship was a strong passion in her life, and even in her declining health, she loved singing to Jesus. Beth also taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church for many years and enjoyed spending time with her class members as they explored God’s word together.

Beth was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Blackerby and her parents.

She is survived by her husband Jeff of Amarillo, daughter Sherilyn and husband Clay of Clarendon, daughter Kristen and husband Jim of Rolla, Missouri, son Doug and wife D’Ann of Amarillo, and daughter Dee Ann of Canyon, Texas. Beth was also blessed with 16 grandchildren, their spouses, and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Jo Ann Selvidge of Amarillo, Jimmy Blackerby of Amarillo and Jackie Ricks and husband Thomas of Mineola, Texas, sister-in-laws Wanda Kellet of Lawton, Oklahoma, Loveta Sue Camp of Arlington, Texas, Arleta Jones of Snyder, Oklahoma and Arlena Thompson and husband Jerry of Rockford, Illinois as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Casket bearers are her beloved grandchildren.

The family is grateful to Legacy at Town Square and Enhabit Hospice for their excellent care of Beth. The family suggests memorials to be given to First Baptist Church of Clarendon, Texas.