Obituaries

Steven Crane Walls, affectionately known as, “Pops'' was born on December 28, 1944 in New London, Connecticut to the late Ida and John Walls. He is preceded in death by his brother, Darryl Thorton. After a battle with chronic illness, he departed this life on Tuesday, July 11th in the comforts of his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the weeks leading up to his passing, Steven was visited and called by a host of family and friends from New York, Connecticut, Florida, and various parts of North Carolina. Their outpouring of love and support is a true testament to how many lives Steve had touched.

Mr. Walls graduated from Weaver High school in Hartford, Connecticut in 1963. While there, he was a member of the boys’ basketball team. Upon graduating, he became the Assistant Cross-Country Coach. It was in this same year, that he discovered and openly displayed his love and passion for Christ by being baptized in a Catholic Church. His baptism marked a life-long relationship with him trusting, loving, and praising God. He faithfully served in various capacities and built lasting relationships in his church homes, especially Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) in New York and Evening of Prayer (C.O.G.I.C) in South Carolina.

Steven later went to work at Arnold’s Bakery in Stamford, CT for 15 years. Upon moving to New York, his love for helping at-risk youth, led him to Graham Windham School in Yonkers, New York, where he was employed and retired as a Youth Counselor. Throughout his life, Pops commanded respect as one of the most well-known basketball referees’ in Yonkers, New York. As a referee, he served on the Board of Westchester Black Athlete’s Association responsible for the fight to include Black officiants in the sports arena. Along with Eugene “Gene” Black, he was instrumental in the origination of the modern day shot clock used in basketball.

After a few years of dating, Pops married the love of his life in 1975, Mrs. Marion “Mikki” Best Walls, whom he affectionately referred to as “Walls.” Together, they traveled extensively throughout the states, making their home in New York, Nevada, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. They spent 54 years together, living life to the fullest, loving and supporting one another. Mikki faithfully cared for her husband until death did them part.

Steve’s nephew, Tommy Winston, summed up his uncle best: “When your life’s testimony speaks for you, no words can do justice. Deacon Steven Walls life embodied the joy and love of Jesus. His very presence, and the power of his witnessing for Christ to the end, speaks volumes. He was always supportive of family and friends, dedicated to prayer and his Church family, early morning prayer calls, and sending out recorded messages on Sunday to all.” Steve will be remembered for his huge smile, words of encouragement, long, funny stories, ability to never meet a stranger, and his willingness to always help others. He touched many of the young men’s lives he came in contact with which led to lasting relationships with him as their mentor or surrogate father.

He leaves to cherish his memories:

His wife, Marion Walls (NC), three children: Christopher Walls (TX), Lisa Best, and Ali Best (NY), three brothers: Terrell Walls (Gloria), Dennis Moultry (Lillian), and Clinton Thorton (Eilene) all of Connecticut, three grandchildren: Nicole Best (PA), Naykisha Blassigame and Essence Best (NC), and two great grandchildren: Nikayla Swanson (NY) and Elijah Best-McArthur (PA), godson, Calvin Pinckney (Yvonne) of New York and a host of nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

A Memorial Service honoring his life will take place on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:00 AM at Evening of Prayer Church of God in Christ, 2361 Spruill Ave., N. Charleston, SC.