Sammie Kay Ausmus Walker

August 10, 1946 – December 4, 2024

Sammie Kay Ausmus Walker passed away on December 4, 2024, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. The family expresses gratitude to the care team at MD Anderson and Heart to Heart Hospice.
Sammie was born on August 10, 1946, in Tulare, California, to Joe Robert Ausmus and Sammie Janice Sanders Ausmus. Soon after, her family moved to Grand Prairie, Texas where she attended Fannin Elementary School and Jefferson Junior High School before proudly becoming a cheerleader at Grand Prairie High School. She graduated in 1964 and remained a devoted “Gopher” throughout her life, cherishing the lifelong friendships she formed during high school, especially her friends known as the JAJAS.
Sammie was enthusiastic about education and the power of learning. She earned her bachelor’s degree from North Texas University and two master’s degrees from Southern Methodist University. A teacher and guidance counselor, Sammie positively impacted countless lives at Grand Prairie High School, South Grand Prairie High School, Adams Middle School, Highland Park High School, and North Lake Community College. Her work with these students and colleagues leaves a rich legacy.
In addition to her professional life, Sammie was deeply committed to community service. She was a charter member of both the Grand Prairie Woman’s Club and Grand Prairie Junior Woman’s Club, served as Secretary of the Children First Board of Directors, was a lifetime member of the GP Historical Society and the GPHS Alumnae Association and volunteered at the Arlington Women’s Night Shelter, exemplifying her generous and compassionate spirit.
In November 1965, Sammie married Don Robert Walker, the love of her life, of Grand Prairie, Texas. Together, they built a life filled with laughter, love, adventure, and family. They traveled the world, creating friendships and cherished memories along the way. Don and Sammie had two loving and devoted children, Lezlie and Stephen. Despite her many professional accomplishments, Sammie considered her family her greatest joy and priority. She had often stated that one of her greatest accomplishments was “raising two great kids.”
Sammie had a strong religious faith. She was a member of Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in Grand Prairie where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Sammie was a member of Saint Alban’s Anglican Church in Arlington at the time of her passing.
Sammie was known for her intelligence, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she cared about. Her love of travel, books, working out, history, music, dancing, and movies were a constant in her life. She was a strong advocate for the environment and women’s rights. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and inspiration that will continue to touch the lives of all who knew her.
Sammie was a devoted wife, mother, Mimi, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law and friend, always putting the needs of her loved ones first. Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband, Don Walker of 59 years; her daughter, Lezlie Walker Waller; her son, Stephen Walker (Autumn); her mother-in-law, Mildred Walker; her brother-in-law, Larry Walker (Shelly), her grandchildren, Madeleine Waller Allgood (Kenzie), Jake Waller, Samantha Walker, and Whitney Walker, and her extended family who are too numerous to list.
Sammie is preceded in death by her parents, Joe Robert Ausmus and Sammie Janice Sanders Ausmus; brothers, Joe David Ausmus and Russell Ausmus; sisters, Dale Ausmus Vickery and Joan Ausmus Harris, niece Amanda Harris Bourgeois, father-in-law Ralph Walker and sister-in-law, Julie Walker Woodall.
Sammie’s Requiem Mass will be on December 20th at 2:00pm at St. Alban’s Anglican Church, 911 S. Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76013.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Children First Counseling Center, where an endowment has been established in her name.
Please visit their site www.childrenfirstinc.org for more information on how to donate to Children First Counseling Center, 621 NW 6th Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050.