Barbara Jean Walker, CP CLE Scholarships

Barbara Jean Walker, CP was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 30, 1949.  She joined South Texas Organization of Paralegals, Inc. (STOP) as a Student Member in March of 2006 while completing her studies to start a new career as a paralegal. Prior to returning to San Antonio, she worked in the financial services merchant industry for many years in the Los Angeles, California area, with Merchant Mentors where she eventually achieved a position in marketing and agent recruitment.  In October 2006, she volunteered her time and valuable experience in event planning to help the three local paralegal organizations with the 4^th Annual Joint Paralegal Day Celebration.  Her eagerness to contribute her knowledge and skills to work on this project was characteristic of her desire to use her talents and ability to benefit others

Upon graduating from the UTSA Paralegal Program in December 2006, Barbara promptly joined a study group to prepare to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) two-day comprehensive certification exam to earn her national Certified Paralegal (CP) designation.  She arranged for the study group to meet at her office at Denton Navarro Rocha & Bernal.  On the first day of the NALA exam, Barbara vowed that if she passed she would volunteer as a proctor for STOP’s sponsorship of local testing for the next NALA exam. She was looking forward to helping provide the opportunity for other aspiring CP’s to take the exam in San Antonio rather than having to travel elsewhere. 

Barbara passed the exam and received her CP designation on May 1, 2007.  At about the same time, Barbara learned that she had breast cancer.  Although facing a battle against cancer, Barbara kept her promise to volunteer as a proctor for the July 21, 2007 CP exam.  She was happy and proud that she passed the exam and was looking forward to giving back to her new career in appreciation for her success.  Due to complications in her cancer treatment, however, Barbara’s life was suddenly cut short and she passed away on June 22, 2007. 

Barbara was a woman of passionate ideals and the world is a better place because she was here.  In loving memory of Barbara, STOP is honored to establish and maintain the Barbara Jean Walker, CP CLE Scholarship and to extend the spirit of Barbara’s contributions to the paralegal community through the awarding of scholarships in her name.

South Texas Organization of Paralegals, Inc. offers several CLE scholarships to its members.  Please e-mail  STOP's Membership Director at Membership@STOPweb.org for additional information on the scholarships and application.