Alabama Baptist serves God through lifetime of music

Her mother’s prayers continue to be answered as Martha Lou Fagan Walker uses her piano-playing talent to glorify God. Walker, 80, plays the piano for a men’s Sunday School class, pre-service Sunday morning worship and Wednesday prayer service at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, in Birmingham Baptist Association. She also plays for other events. 
   
“She plays beautifully,” Pastor Anton Fourie said. “She plays from her heart.” 
   
Walker’s introduction to piano began when she was in her mother’s womb. 
   
When Walker’s father announced that God had called him to preach, her mother said he would go to seminary but she could not play the piano. While pregnant with her third child, Martha Lou, she prayed for that child to be able to play the piano. The evidence of God’s answer to those prayers can be heard whenever Walker touches the piano keys.
   
Walker took piano lessons and by age 12, she was winning piano competitions and playing during revival services preached by her father, a Baptist pastor.
   
In 1946, after graduating from Judson College in Marion, she married Harris Gerald Walker, a Baptist preacher, and served alongside him in Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. Of course, she got involved with the music program in those churches.  
   
Even after her husband’s death in 2003, Walker has continued to serve by teaching Sunday School, volunteering in the church office at First, Birmingham, and as a member of the handbell choir at First, Birmingham.
   
“She has a tremendous understanding for ministry,” Fourie said. “She is just delighted to come and help anytime we ask her to.” 
   
He said Walker has a genuine desire to help people and encourages them through her words, deeds and even through letter writing. 
   
Now that she has retired from her job as program specialist with the Birmingham Board of Education, Walker enjoys spending time with her daughter and five grandchildren. 
   
“When she goes to meet the Lord, it will be because He needs another pianist in heaven,” said her daughter, Cynthia Walker Watts. (TAB)