Gone too soon is a sentiment that seemingly can’t be echoed enough when it comes to the death of Walter Keon Mobley.
The 29-year-old father of one was killed on Jan. 19 in what his family and friends believe was a case of mistaken identity.
His cousin,Vakarshia West, said he was simply going into his home when the shots rang out that ended his life, all because the shooter “thought he was somebody else.”
She described Mobley as a quiet person that kept to himself and was “All about his daughter.” She said he had just left his mother’s home on the Friday of the incident and was about to enter the door of his apartment.
Mobley was a 2007 Leland High graduate and a 2012 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University who reportedly aspired to become a Transportation Security Administration agent.
At the news of Mobley’s death, social media was abuzz with heartfelt outpourings from not only family but also those who had encountered him at the Indianola Walmart, where he was employed and worked as a greeter.
One such comment on Facebook that came from Carla Jenkins read, “My routine trip to Wal-Mart was not so routine tonight,” as she described her approach to the doors of the store and the site of the black ribbon tied in a bow as a memorial and how it impacted her when she realized that it was for Mobley.
She described him as a friend and expounded on his politeness and gentlemanly qualities and her belief that he was a Christian. The fact that he always addressed her with respect and showed kindness to her children was also emphasized as she recalled the last conversation with him, just a day before his death.
Mobley had shared his desire to be a TSA agent with her and his hope and intent of working his way through the ranks and into management. Jenkins wrote that she was so determined to aid him that she left that Thursday conversation wondering what she could do to help him achieve his goal.
His family expressed how he was an “All around good guy.” With two brothers and four sisters, Mobley, the youngest boy, surrounded himself with family. West said he was either at home, at work or with family. The only thing to come close to that was his passion for football and music, especially the blues, West said.
Jenkins concluded her remarks with an admonition on the brevity of life and a reminder that any minute encounter can have a major impression, “Your life does make an impact on others like Walter’s kindness made on me and our job is our ministry. So, tonight I am praying for Walter’s family and I want them to know that Walter’s life made a difference,” Jenkins said.
