Emma Jane Walls

Emma Jane Walls was born on December 29, 1932, in LaGrange, Kentucky, to the late Christine and Levy Johnson. Her early years were full of fond memories on her grandparents’ farm, where she cultivated her passions for farming, gardening, baking, and caretaking. She grew up surrounded by family and friends and carried that same spirit of loyalty, warmth, and community throughout her entire life.

She graduated from the Lincoln Institute as valedictorian at age 16 and from nursing school at age 19, becoming one of the first Black graduates of Holy Cross Nursing School at Saint Mary’s College. Her ambition, talent, thoroughness, and natural habit of impressing everyone led to her 36-year-long career at Clark Memorial Hospital, where she served as their beloved Head Charge Nurse and, in later years, their revered supervisor of the entire hospital.

She built a life marked by hard work, steadfastness, and dedication to those she loved. Whether it was nursing an ailment, gifting a one-of-a-kind confection, or simply offering her kind eyes and warm smile, she gracefully provided her best service, to everyone, always.

She loved attending live shows, visiting with family, watching for birds, rooting for Louisville basketball, and telling stories from her long and beautiful life. To know her was to know someone who showed up, spoke truly, and loved deeply. We would all do well to take a page out of her book.

On March 10, 2026, Emma went to be with the Lord, peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carey Walls Jr., and three siblings: Dorothy Bertrand, Leon Johnson, and Jewell Spillman.

She leaves to cherish her memory: four children, Christy Buyck (James Buyck), Carey Walls III, Sandra Posey (William Posey), and Craig Walls; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved with all her heart.

Though we know she is already watching over us, we are already missing her dearly. How blessed are we to have someone who makes saying goodbye so hard. Thankfully, it’s not a goodbye; it’s a see you later. 

Her service will be held at Scott Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, IN, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The visitation will be from 12–2 PM, and the funeral will begin at 2 PM. Emma will be taken to her final resting place at Eastern Cemetery on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 10 AM.

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