Esther Emma Walker
November 26, 1930 ~ November 18, 2025
Born in:
Morningside, South Dakota
Resided in:
Knoxville, Tennessee
Asheville Butterfly TrailSurrounded by her family, Esther Emma Kappler Walker entered Heaven after a lifetime of service to the Lord Jesus on Tuesday, November 18th, at 9:55AM.
Esther was born in Morningside, South Dakota, on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 1930, to Edward and Ernestine Kappler. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 72 years, Ian H.C. Walker, her parents, her brothers, Erwin and Albert Duane Kappler, and grandchildren Micah and Faith Ball.
She became a Christian at age 16 and served the Lord faithfully the rest of her life, leading many to faith in Jesus Christ.
Esther married her husband, Ian, on August 16th, 1952, and served alongside him in church ministry across America for over 50 years. An RN, gifted speaker and teacher, Esther’s great joy was teaching the Bible because, in her own words, “God’s Word is so almighty, powerful, and awesome…it sometimes takes my breath away!”
Her passion and dedication to studying and sharing God’s Word was evident not only in her speaking and teaching career, but also in a tremendous body of writing and artwork. She authored two books, High Pasture, and Rejoicing the Heart, and continued to work on a third forthcoming book, The Cure for Corroded Christians, as long as she was able. To accompany her writing and teaching, she illustrated many passages of the Bible, including all 150 Psalms, in her distinctive pen-and-ink style. For her books see highpasture.org
In her later years, while homebound, Esther prayed for God to make a way for her ministry to continue, and in 2016, God did something amazing. When her daughter, Jennifer, began posting videos of Esther sharing her faith on social media, the response was incredible. Esther went “viral” many times over despite not knowing how to turn on a computer. Now, millions of people all over the world have heard Esther’s teaching online. Instead of drawing to a close in her twilight years, her ministry has grown exponentially and has touched more people from her bedside than ever before in her life.
Esther’s life has radiated the love of God. The lives she has touched cannot be counted. She is loved by so many, and her videos continue to bless people around the world.
Esther’s memory is lovingly preserved by her four devoted children, Heather Beier (Doug), James Walker (Deborah Leigh), Wendy Ball (Mark), and Jennifer Smith (Butch), of whom she was incredibly proud. In addition to her children, Esther is survived by 12 grandchildren, in whom she found great delight: Adam Beier (Erica), Cameron Earwood (Will), Amy Walker, Ian Walker (Amanda), Jamie Leigh Walker, Emma Walker Crout (Sloan), Kathleen Kent (Brian), Hope Mallary (Kevin), Jon Ball (Bekah), Jay Smith (Shannon), Erin Sanford (Bo), and Josh Smith (Breana). She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Bear Beier; Carter and Chloe Earwood; Esther Kent; Nevaeh Ball; Blakely, Emrie, JP, and Will Smith; Lindsey and Harper Sanford; and Anderson and Leighton Smith. All of these descendants are a living testament to her enduring legacy of faith, devotion and love.
A funeral service will be held on Monday December 1, 2025 at Lake Hills Church in Candler at 1:00 pm.
The family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00 at the church prior to the service.
Groce at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Services
Visitation: December 1, 2025 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Mrs. Walker’s Bible studies at the One Way House First Baptist Church Hendersonville greatly influenced my life. I am forever grateful. No doubt she heard “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
I just saw her talking about singing Holy Holy Holy. What a time of rejoicing but I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this sweet lady with us.
I had the honor and privilege to be one of Esther’s nurses at The Pointe at Lifespring. Esther reminded me so much of my own Mother through her Faith and Love. Esther and I prayed many prayers together. I will miss her dearly ❤️
I wrote to Esther in care of her retirement home thanking her for her amazing ministry!! I sure hope someone read my note of thanks to her! God bless and comfort her family!!
I’m so glad I found Mrs Esther’s videos on line a few years ago. She has been such an inspiration!
Several years ago, I saw Jennifer’s post which shared a video with Mrs. Walker. The Lord knew that I needed to see this special message, as I was going through some rough waters. To this day, I am remind of her sweet voice, “Just go quietly on.” I have been blessed by every one of her videos. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing her with so many of us. I will miss her. ✝️ Hugs and prayers for her family.
Even though I never met Mrs. Esther here on earth I look forward to meeting her in heaven with a great big Thankyou!! What a blessing and encouragement her videos have been to me and Thankyou, Jennifer for sharing these with all of us! My hugs and prayers for all the family during this sad but joyous time of missing your loved one with the hope you’ll see them again!
Jennifer,
I am Sorry I didn’t know your mother personally. You have my deepest sympathy.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Jennifer , thinking about you and your family at this time. I know it will truly be a celebration of a great life.
Love Wynne
A tremendous Christian lady, a wonderful friend. I was privileged to sit Dr. and Mrs. Walker’s. ministry at First Baptist, Morristown Tn. Prayers for the family during this time
God bless you all tremendously over and over amen
Dear Family,
We send our sincere love and join the celebration of Esther, her life and legacy.
When thinking of Esther it is a reflex to think of her and Dr. Walker. They so fleshed out what Christian
marriage and deep, deep love and care for each other looks like in day to day life.
Through their ministry multitudes were and are directed to a passionate love of Christ. Well done faithful servants.
It was impressive to witness their mantle of Christian ministry and authority which they carried to the end.
We were part of their hospitality that welcome so many into their lives and to their Savior.
Esther’s multitude of spiritual and natural gifts were/are remarkable. I (Karen) never spoke with her without knowing that she listened deeply to me. Her gift of perceiving each person’s needs and ministering to them was life giving.
Esther was/is brilliant in her intellect and in her understanding of Biblical truths and theological concerns. Coupled with this was her brilliance in communicating these truths through her teaching and art. I can only imagine her discussions in heaven. She will certainly discuss deep truths with C. H. Spurgeon and F. B. Myers whom she quoted often. I remember one statement that Esther made about her writing. She said, “Karen, I do not want to write drivel (nonsense).” Her standards were strong and so evident in her life.
As I (Karen) thought of Esther, the title of a famous poem by Lord Byron came to mind, SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY.
I think this title describes a portion of what we witnessed in her. She spilled and lived such beauty in the love of Jesus. Truly, rivers of living water flowed from her life.
(poem)
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
We send these thoughts with our love. We wait with you in anticipation of seeing Esther and Dr. Walker in heaven. There we will join them in the fullness of God’s glory. We will sing praises unto Jesus, the Lamb, that was slain and lives forever!
Thoughts and prayers are with your family, and love you all!
Love, Ginny 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for your guidance and wisdom in my Faith Walk. May you enjoy the arms of Jesus around you while you walk and get your crown for a race done well!! “Well done good and faithful servant!
Esther was a great prayer warrior and scripture based teacher. She taught by example. I miss her insightful words. I love her dearly.
Truly enjoyed listening to her inspiring words of wisdom. Simply put – but oh so meaningful!
God Bless you all at this time. Thank you for sharing Esther’s wonderful words of wisdom with us all through social media. I found one of her messages about hope when I had very little hope left in me. That message carried me through a very difficult time and I listened to her words and never gave up that hope, I am so grateful for that. What a wonderful blessing her life has been and her name fit her perfectly.
When did God first become real to you? Without hesitation I answered God became real to me when Mrs. Walker opened the Word of God. I am eternally grateful for her influence and her love for Jesus and His Word.
With all of her dear family and loved ones, I join in rising up and calling her blessed. Heaven is so much sweeter with her there. Prayers for comfort. Anticipation for homecoming! In His Love, Myra Carlisle Kitchin