The final moments of Ella Walker’s life were part of a sad, serious and troubling crime.

The 86-year-old mother and grandmother was stabbed to death while sitting in her chair at her home in Black Diamond.

Her 50-year-old son, Cecil Douglas Walker, is alleged to have committed the crime and has been charged with first degree murder, domestic violence.

Prior to the fateful day of her death, Ella Walker was know as a person who helped everyone she met.

Dolores Wilkening, who had been her friend for more than 35 years, described her as a “great friend. She was very kind to everyone. She was always taking care of her children. She was a great mother.”

Both women were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they volunteered at the family history center at the LDS church located at Four Corners in Maple Valley.

Wilkening last saw Ella Walker Wednesday, Aug. 25 at the family history center. The two women were working on their family histories.

“We had such a good time Wednesday,” Wilkening said. “She was working on her family history and I was working on mine. She was looking forward to visiting her daughter.”

Dan Peterson, Wilkening’s son-in-law, remembered Ella Walker’s “big heart. She always gave and gave and gave. She always had a smile on her face.”

Ella Walker worked at Boeing and Wilkening, who also worked for the company, said they often rode to work together.

“I get emotional,” Wilkening said. “She was like a sister to me. I feel real bad. She was a very close friend. It’s like losing a family member.”