Holmes mourns the passing of Assistant Coach Brooke Walker
Holmes Community College is sad to announce the tragic passing of Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Brooke Walker from a car accident on Sunday. Services are set for tonight in Florence and tomorrow in Byram.
Walker, 26, a Terry native, was in her fourth season as assistant women's basketball coach at Holmes. She came to Holmes from Humphreys Academy in Belzoni, where she served as head coach for the junior high and high school girl's teams in 2020 and 2021. Her junior high squad won the district title while her high school team won the district, North State and A state championships, and she was named the MAIS A Coach of the Year.
Along with her duties at Holmes, she was a big part of AAU in Mississippi serving as the head coach of the Team Mississippi 15U team and assistant coach of the Team Mississippi 18U team. She was also an assistant coach with the Mississippi Jazz AAU teams (6th-12th grade). Her teams have won the Nike National Championship twice and has 15 local and regional championships.
She was a graduate of Copiah Academy, where she excelled on the basketball court. She was named the team MVP, MAIS All-Star and First Team All-Conference. After Copiah, she played two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
She held an associate of arts degree from Northwest and a bachelor's degree in general studies with minors in Sociology, English and Education from the University of Mississippi.
"Our Holmes family mourns the loss of Madison Brooke Walker," Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey said to the Holmes staff. "Brooke served as our Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, and was a kind, beautiful soul. The College prepares to support Brooke's family and her team in every way we can. Please take time to reflect on her commitment to her players across the state, and to pray for her family."
Tributes have been pouring in for Walker on social media from her friends and family along with those from the basketball community.
Her alma mater, Northwest, recognized Walker prior to their basketball game Monday with a moment of silence. The Lady Bulldogs plan to do the same prior to tomorrow night's home game with Gulf Coast along with displaying her "BW23" on their pregame uniforms. Fans also have been asked to wear purple to the game in her memory as well.
Obituary
Madison Brooke Walker went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Canton, MS. She was 26 years old. The family will receive friends and extended family for visitation from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. The second visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Lakeshore Church in Byram. The funeral service will also be held at Lakeshore Church beginning at 12:00 p.m. followed by burial at Cleary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Brooke was born January 27, 1998, to Allen Walker and Kristy Shelton Ketteringham in Flowood, MS. She shared that birthday with her twin brother Brett and was the BEST sister to him. She was a wonderful daughter to her parents and a genuine friend. If you knew Brooke, you couldn't help but love her. She was always smiling, never met a stranger and had friends of all ages. Brooke's passion was coaching. She embodied servanthood and the words of Jesus, taking many girls under her wing teaching them and encouraging them to be the best that they could be. She treated her girls as if they were her children. They trusted in her, confided in her, and depended on her. Brooke loved with all her heart and will truly be missed by all who knew her.
Brooke is preceded in death by her grandfather, James Shelton. She is survived by her mother, Kristy Ketteringham of Terry; father, Allen Walker (Tasha) of Crystal Springs; twin brother, Brett Walker of Terry; sisters, Ashton McCollough (Brian) of Crystal Springs, and Savanah Middleton (Dylan) of Crystal Springs; aunt Tonya Griffin (John) of Brandon; niece Hartlee Drew McCollough; nephews, Dawsyn Middleton, and Steele Middleton; cousin, Brady Griffin; maternal grandparent, June Shelton of Florence; paternal grandparents, Allen Ray Walker (Lisa) of Crystal Springs, and Hazel Walker of Florence; and numerous cousins, friends and lives she touched.
Online guestbook may be signed at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.