Mabel Cordelia Holloway was born in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.A. on May 2, 1902, the sixth of nine children of Reverend and Mrs. Elias B. Holloway.

She attended elementary school in Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from Oberlin High School in Oberlin, Ohio. She studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree. She served on the executive committee of the National Students Federation in the U.S.A. At university she was active in the YWCA movement, attending many conferences of the YWCA, and also attended the National Training School of the YWCA in New York. She pursued private studies in Arts and Crafts and painting in Newark, New Jersey and New York City.

At Howard University, in a German class, she met her future husband, Claudius Roland Walker, who was then studying for the Bachelor of Science degree.

After graduating from university and marrying, Mrs. Walker worked at a YWCA in Orange, New Jersey, while her husband pursued his medical studies at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. After he completed his medical training, Dr. Walker and his wife came to The Bahamas. She became involved in education, by opening a pre-school, and assisting her husband with adult education classes at The Bahamas Technical Institute, which he organized.
 
 
     
       

Later, Mrs. Walker became a teacher with the Board of Education. She taught at Southern Preparatory School, Western Senior and Junior Schools. After being a classroom teacher for a number of years, she was promoted to Headmistress of Woodcock Primary School, a post which she held until her retirement in 1962. During her time in the public education system, she encouraged the teaching of handicraft, art and gardening. In addition, she taught adults and children at home to read and write. She taught art, especially painting on fabric.

Mrs. Walker was the founder of The Bahamas Union of Teachers. She worked hard for the recognition of the Union and for teachers to be recognized as professionals. She was adamant about the training of teachers, and fought for better salaries. She was an active member of the Elks Curfew Temple where she served as secretary for many years. She was also a member of the YWCA. She was an activist for the women's suffrage movement in The Bahamas, even demonstrating with a small band of women for the rights of women. Mrs. Walker attended many Women Alliances Conferences in England, Ireland, Africa and Italy.

Mrs. Walker was also an artist. She painted Bahamian scenes on neckties, scarves and skirts, which she sold. She also painted the insignia on the aprons for the Masonic lodges. She was always supportive of her husband in his various projects. She assisted in selling The Voice, a small newspaper which he edited.

Mrs. Walker lived by principles, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". She always believed in the potential of people, and so encouraged people to achieve their goals. She would say, "nothing is impossible" and, "there is nothing called, "I can't". Even in her later life, she was always encouraging and helping people. She believed in the dignity of work. Her hobbies were reading and gardening.

After retirement, she was in charge of Walker's Pharmacy, Clothes and Hardware Store. She assisted with the family business until her death.

She was noted for her contribution to The Bahamas when a primary school, the Mabel Walker Primary school was named in her honour. The Bahamas Union of Teachers also honoured her by naming their building Walker's Hall. She was also given the privilege to declare the building officially open. In addition, she received The Queen's Medal and Certificate of Honour.

Mrs. Walker, the mother of 7 children, died at the age of 85 on July 8, 1987.