Jayela Renee' Walker, 21, of Gainesville (Palatka native), unexpectedly entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville. The daughter of Tangela Clark and Courtnee Walker, she was born on September 28, 2004 in Palatka. Her pursuit of education was attained at: God's Little Creation (Pre-K), James A. Long, where she received the Terrific Kid award for her entire years of attendance, CL Overturf, Jr. 6th Grade Center, where she received Student of the Month, Jenkins Middle School (7th & 8th grade). Jayela graduated from Palatka Jr.- Sr.High School on May 26, 2023 with a 4.1 GPA Summa Cum Laude. She earned her Medical Assistant Certification during her Junior year. Jayela was ranked in the top 20% of her class and was one of Putnam County's Top Scholars in 2023. Jayela was a student in the dual enrollment program and attended St. Johns River State College during her Senior Year of High School and received credits toward her AS degree. Jayela was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church where she was involved with the youth choir, Generation Yes, Sunday School and Praise Dance Ministry. She was previously employed by Publix (Palatka), Pain Relief Centre (St. Augustine), and most recently, the National Spine and Pain Center (Gainesville). She enjoyed spending time with her family and going on trips with her mother. Jayela also enjoyed playing volleyball and participating with the yearbook staff and Beta club.

Those preceding her in eternal rest: her maternal great grandparents, Theodore and Carrie McRae; paternal great grandmother, Ruby Lee Strickland; grandfather, Eddie Lee Walker, Jr.; paternal uncle, Eddie Walker IV; maternal great uncles, Theodore (Doris) Sharp, Freddie Sharp, Rev. Dr. George E. McRae, Ernest McRae, Charlie (Ann) McRae; maternal great aunts, Helen (Bobbie) Brown, Queen Esther McRae.

She leaves to cherish her memories: mother, Tangela Clark; father, Courtnee Walker; brother, Deonis Jackson; sisters, Tameka (Deontae) McKinnon, Jac'Cara Walker and Jordin Walker;  maternal grandmother, Barbara Ann McRae-Leonard; paternal grandmother, Rose Mary Green; paternal grandfather, Eddie Walker III; nephews, DeJavion McKinnon, Camden McKinnon and Brayden McKinnon; special cousins, Jamiya Lee, Saniah Shorter, Jeremiah Leonard, Ejay Yapoor; special friend, Michael Williams; godparents, Kevin and Latrise Turner; godsisters and godbrother, Amareya Turner Ke'Mareya Turner, Laniya McRae, Tony Turner; maternal aunts, Stephanie McRae Robinson, Kizzy Leonard, Kian Leonard, Carrie (Ennio) Yapoor; maternal great aunts, Mary Brown, Carolyn Watson, Dorothy Moore; paternal great aunts, Vida Ree Green, Kathleen Green; maternal uncles, Timothy Spell, Rasheed Leonard, Tyshawn Anderson;  paternal uncles, Alonzo Strickland, Herschel Walker, Cyril Ferguson; maternal great uncles, Dea. Alphonso (Vivian) McRae, Rev. Andrew (Mittie) McRae, Dea. Herman (Victoria) McRae; extended maternal aunts and uncles, Timothy Colson, Angela Clark, Lashonda Clark, Keith (Jameshia) Clark, Antione Clark, Frank Clark Jr., Talena Clark, Thelma McCray, Frankya Clark, Clifton Ellington, Cassandra Woods, Kutanna Woods, Jamie Woods, Zerwick Woods; extended paternal aunts and uncles, Soo-Long Hardmen, Eddresha Walker, Eddiedrick Walker, Eddraveus Walker, Anthony Garner, Eddie Walker, Eddrecka Walker, Taurus McGinnis, Denzel Roberts, Tiffany Walker, Dominique Walker, Shay Walker, Dawn Holloway; paternal great uncle, Isiac Fountain; and a host of other relatives and close friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be held from 5-7 pm,  Friday, January 30, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 800 Madison St, Palatka, Rev. Tommy J. Rodgers, Pastor and Eulogist. A Celebration of Jayela's Life will commence at 2 pm, Saturday, January 31, at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, 4909 St. Johns Ave, Palatka, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor.