BEBE GIPS WALKER 1937 - 2025
Altaleen Gips Walker, affectionately known as “Bebe” to family and friends
and “Bunkie” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Houston,
Texas on October 8, 1937 to Alton and Sybil Gips. She passed away peacefully,
surrounded by her loved ones, on April 21, 2025.
Bebe proudly spent the first 42 years of her life in Houston, graduating
from Lamar High School in 1956. She often shared fond memories of growing
up in Bellaire and of dear friends that she kept from kindergarten all the way
through graduation and beyond. She cherished those lifelong friendships
and attended many reunions, as recently as April 20, 2024.
Her childhood summers were spent in Yorktown, Texas with her beloved German
grandparents. It was there that her grandfather, a masterful bridge
player, taught her the game that would become one of her lifelong passions.
Bebe continued to play bridge several times a week throughout her life, as well
as participating in “bridge retreats” where she would spend the whole weekend
playing with friends. She had a fierce love of games and a legendary
competitive streak. Whether it was bowling (she proudly earned multiple
trophies and 300-point pins for perfect games), or family favorites like “Hot
Dice” and “Dum Dum,” Bebe played to win—and she usually did.
In her early years, while raising her young children, Bebe worked at Pace
Management, where she created advertising campaigns and helped produce shows, races,
and concerts. She was instrumental in organizing major events at the Astrodome
and the Summit—even contributing to the grand opening of the Superdome in New
Orleans.
Later, Bebe began a successful career in real estate, where she met the love
of her life, Johnny Walker. Together, they built a life and a business
partnership that lasted over 50 years. Their first venture—AWC Video Corp,
which reflected their sense of humor and stood for “Are We Crazy?”—evolved into
Texas Televideo and Video Specialists. The business grew to include more than
40 locations across Texas and Arkansas. Johnny and Bebe eventually
returned to Livingston 30 years ago.
Bebe lived life to the fullest and had a magnetic presence that lit up every
room she entered. She was a natural storyteller, known for her wit, her spunk,
and her unmistakable style. Though petite in stature, she was a firecracker
with a big personality who made a lasting impression. She had a gift for
bringing people together—whether it was her cherished “Sister Fest” or
“Birthday Fest,” the Community Concert series that she helped organize, or
spontaneous family gatherings. Her home was always warm and welcoming, from
festive Christmases to lazy summer afternoons by the pool filled with an
endless supply of waffle mix and grilled cheese sandwiches. And she did it all
with perfect hair, polished nails, and color-coordinated outfits—from her
jewelry to her shoes. Inspired by her grandmother, Bebe also found joy in her
“silly flowers,” and her home and yard were always bursting with color and
blooms.
Bebe was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Johnny, and
her stepdaughter Jennifer McCage. She leaves behind her children: daughters
Leigh Ann McCoy and Cathy Gips, both of Austin, Texas; sons Dan David Cryan,
Jr. (Rhena) and Kenneth G. Cryan (Trudy), both of Sealy, Texas; and her sisters
Judy Hodge (Marshall) and Jeri Winslett (Walter). Her legacy lives on through
her 11 grandchildren—Christine Madison, Lauren McCoy, Trey Cryan, Patrick
Cryan, Brett Cryan, Kayleen Moseley, Kendra Fitzhenry, Preston “Bo” Cryan, AJ
McCage, Blair McCage, and Joseph McCage—12 great-grandchildren, and many
lifelong close friends.
A celebration of Bebe’s remarkable life will be held at the First Methodist
Church of Livingston on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bebe’s
memory to Bethel Baptist Church at 8815 FM 350 North, Livingston, TX 77351.
