Rosa Walker Celebrates 90th Birthday

Rosa Walker at 90. Photo: Living Treasures
Rosa Walker at 90. Photo: Living Treasures

A large group of family and friends gathered January 26 at the rooftop garden of the Battery Park Apartments for a luncheon in honor of Asheville Living Treasure Rosa Logan Walker on her 90th birthday.

Rosa Walker cuts her cakeHosted by Mrs. Walker’s niece Lillian Logan, her husband Wayne, their daughter Naomi Logan Smith and her husband (and Emcee) Tim Smith Jr., the celebration included an opening prayer from Bonita Jones, a dance tribute performed by Anekah Naomi Smith, and a portrait of Rosa’s life, Rosa and Family, created by Full Moon Video – as well as loving tributes from family and friends. Catering was by Country Side Restaurant.

Mrs. Walker was born January 18, 1923 to Garfield and Lillie Bell Logan. In 1943, she moved from the Uree area (now Lake Lure) to Asheville, and during her life she was an entrepreneur, a civic leader, and a community inspiration.

In 1988 she was named Woman of the Year for the NC Beauticians and Cosmetologist Association for African American women and men, and earned the same distinction in 1994 at St. James A.M.E. Church in Asheville. In 2011, she was honored by Asheville and Buncombe County as an Asheville Living Treasure, bestowed by Asheville Living Treasures. At 90 years of age, Rosa Logan Walker is “a woman of a lifetime.”