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     Teresa Walker was an expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Teresa, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Teresa really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      She is preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Hoye and survived by her mother, O'Dean Hoye. Teresa was raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. Even as a child, Teresa had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention.

     Teresa was easygoing and fun loving. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Teresa managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Teresa was raised with two siblings. She had one older brother, Tim, and one younger sister, Tammy.

     All of Teresa's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Teresa experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in cheerleading. In her spare time she liked roller skating.

     Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Teresa was friendly, caring person. Teresa enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Teresa graduated from Northeast High School in 1982. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was math. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Sinks.

     Teresa earned her Associates degree in the field of Medical Office Assistant from Miller-Motte Business College in Clarksville, Tennessee.

     Teresa never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. This quality allowed Teresa to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Teresa utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Susan Griffey, Diane Ridgeway and Michelle Habisetser. Later in life, she became friends with everybody she met. Teresa loved sharing life.

     The gift of being outwardly affectionate made Teresa very easy to approach. On June 19, 1982 Teresa exchanged wedding vows with Bill Walker at Parklane Church of the Nazarene in Clarksville, Tennessee. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

     Perhaps the reason Teresa related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own child. Teresa was blessed with one son, Joe. Teresa had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with family, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Teresa's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She was extremely proud of her son's accomplishments.

     Teresa enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were raising chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants and peafowl. Teresa was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

     Teresa loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of being around other people. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Teresa never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Teresa was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Titans football and dirt track racing.

     Teresa had an endless appetite for new and different activities. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, In high school, Teresa was a member of DECCA and The National Honor Society.

     Teresa was a generous person who often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Politically, Teresa was open minded and voted for the candidate she felt would do the best job for everybody.

     Living life in the fast lane suited Teresa just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Florida and Germany.

     Teresa was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Teresa's favorites was Tyra, a Bengal cat. Her family was rounded out by a multitude of different animals.

     Teresa passed away on July 23, 2009 at St John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Bill; her son, Joe; her mother, O'Dean; her brother Tim and sister Tammy. Services were held at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. Teresa was laid to rest in Woolawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee.

     Teresa brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Mrs. Teresa Ann Walker lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.