Obituary for Jeffrey Duane Walker Jeffrey Duane Walker (58) of Winston-Salem, formerly of Boston, MA and Durham, NC passed away in Charleston, SC on May 29, 2018 with his wife and daughter by his side. Jeff was born on February 6, 1960 in San Jose, California. He was the son of Rachel Ellison Hayes and step-son of the late Adolphus D. Hayes.
Following his graduation from Williams High School in Burlington, NC, he pursued a Business degree from Lees-McCrae College in Banner Elk, NC. Jeff was in the restaurant & catering business for over 30 years, specializing in Greek/Mediterranean food. He was Executive Chef of Taverna Nikos in Durham, NC, from 1990 to 2000 during which time the restaurant received multiple accolades and awards, including #1 Restaurant in the Research Triangle Park three years in a row.
Jeff was a kind and loving soul; he never met a stranger and was known for his big heart. Despite his illness, Jeff was always looking for ways to improve life for those around him. He truly lived his life to serve others, whether through the children’s ministry at church, supporting single mothers in the community, or empowering patients receiving dialysis treatments for kidney failure to understand their disease and advocate for themselves.
Jeffrey was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rachel Bruce and William J. Ellison, and his Uncle Bill Ellison. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Karen Winkfield and daughter, Ashley Winkfield of Winston-Salem, NC; his mother, Rachel Ellison Hayes of Charlotte, NC; his sisters, Wanda Marie Walker Giles (Jimmie) of Westminster, CO and Cheryl Lynn Walker McGill (Paul A.) of Charlotte, NC; niece Whitney Marie Giles; uncle, Harold C. Ellison and many loving cousins and friends. A memorial service for JD will be held at 2pm on Saturday July 14, 2018 at Triangle Church, 5510 Barbee Chapel Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
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