YouthUSA presents
The Spirit of the J.D. and Laurena Walker Fund
Ordinary folks on an extraordinary journey.
The J.D. and Laurena Walker Fund (The Fund) of YouthUSA promotes a legacy of lifelong learning and service endowed by its founder, Evelyn Walker Armstrong. The Fund perpetuates the positive values demonstrated by her parents.
J.D. Walker and Laurena Puriefoy Walker, the second of three generations from Griffin, GA, worshipped at the original Eighth Street Baptist Church. Their fathers served together on the Deacon Board and J.D.’s dad was one of the builders.
In 1926, Charles and Mary Puriefoy, their nine children (Otis, Charlie, Laurena, Elizabeth, Nettie, John Wesley, Lucille, Willie and Carson), spouses, and grandchildren migrated to Philadelphia, PA. J.D.’s family (Matt, Anna, Mattie, and Matthew) remained in Georgia.
J.D. followed in the footsteps of his father as a brick mason. He built several homes for family members, working on residential and commercial construction projects with John B. Kelly, Inc. in Pennsylvania. Until his transition from earth, Deacon J.D. Walker faithfully served his community and the Deacon Board of Beulah Baptist Church. John B. Kelly, Sr., known as Jack, was a triple Olympic champion; the father of Jack Kelly, Jr. (who later served as president of the U.S. Olympic Committee) ; and, actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, (thus the maternal grandfather of Albert II, Prince of Monaco).
Laurena Puriefoy Walker was a praying woman of faith and an accomplished professional seamstress. In her early years, she worked at the U.S. Navy Yard and made military uniforms at The Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot. Laurena faithfully served with The Willing Workers of Beulah Baptist Church and the Deaconess Board until she was 101.
Evelyn, her sister Mary Ann, brothers James and Edward were encouraged by their parents and a “whole village” to pursue an education, community service, and work ethic.
James traveled the world while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. He pursued a career in electrical and mechanical engineering for several aerospace companies.
Mary Ann was a community activist who worked with the United Steelworkers of America, KYW Television, the Urban League, Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC), Temple University and MERCK.
Edward, after serving his country in the Korean War, was intrigued by his father’s construction career. He pursued the profession of a building inspector for the City of Philadelphia.
Evelyn Walker Armstrong’s career in scientific information services spanned nearly half a century. She served as the director of the Merck Literature Resources Center where she spearheaded the design, development, and operation of eight information centers. Armstrong later served as a consultant for other Merck information centers in Terlings Park, England and Montreal, Canada.
Under her leadership she managed the design and implementation of a corporate wide integrated library network system. After more than 40 years of service to MERCK, Ms. Armstrong endowed The Fund after her retirement. Since 1997, The Fund has demonstrated growth through the development of its beneficiaries. Originally established as The J.D. and Laurena Walker Foundation of the NHF, The Fund serves as a development resource for public charity programs.
On September 11, 2006, Ms. Armstrong collaborated with family members, beneficiaries and friends to form the Delaware nonprofit corporation, YOUTH ACHIEVERS USA INSTITUTE. YouthUSA administers The Fund, as well as other youth and community development programs.
The Fund offers YouthUSA beneficiaries, as well as descendants of J.D. and Laurena Walker, a sustained reminder of the good works and family values endowed to them by ordinary people on an extraordinary journey.
The public benefit of The Fund is its investment in future leaders. Although no contributions or earnings inure to any private shareholder or individual, YouthUSA offers its donors a “Return on Investment” through sustained interest in our beneficiaries.
The Walker legacy continues in those who have benefited from identifying their seven Money-n-the-Bank goals (Spiritual, Physical, Social, Financial, Educational, Professional and Recreational); seven advisors; completed the FDIC Money Smart Financial Literacy; as well as, identified and engaged a Whole Village of 20 caring adults as a circular support system.
The J.D. and Laurena Walker Fund supports the United Nations number one goal, #NoPoverty2030 #MissionPossible. The Fund creates opportunities for youth and caring adults to embrace the YouthUSA corporate motto: “I believe I can achieve, whatever I believe I can achieve.”
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