Cora Jean Walden

CORA JEAN (FRINK) WALDEN, passed from this world on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 in Ocean Springs, Miss. She was born in Town Creek, Ala. on Jan. 1, 1919, a daughter of John D. and Lennie Alexander Bean and was one of thirteen children. Cora married David A. Frink and they had an only child, Tommie Jean. While traveling with her husband, whose job with T.V.A was to open cafeterias at sites where dams were being constructed, she found herself interested in the food service business. In the ensuing years she became an accomplished cook and administrator in that field. Considering the many roles she had, one of the most memorable occurred in the late 1950s into the early 1960s, where she was Director of Food Service at NASA in Sandusky, Ohio, because at that time, astronauts were training for space travel. Following the death of David, she met and married her second soulmate, Bill Walden. Together they learned the "ins and outs" of shrimp boating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She understood the camaraderie that good friends and good food produce, and that was her gift to those who knew her. "She hummed, she smiled and she loved". The recipients of this were her daughter; her husbands; three grandchildren, Kevin Manny, Bridget Langston and Nicole Buonomo; seven great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; three stepchildren, Debra Haynes, Michael Walden and Ronald Walden; three step-grandchildren; and many friends. She was preceded in death by a husband; parents; twelve siblings; and a great-granddaughter. Private calling is from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014 at Klaehn, Fahl, & Melton Funeral Home, 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne, (IN 46819). Graveside service immediately following at The Catholic Cemetery, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, (IN 46805). Contributions may be made to the Southern Care Hospice, 8195-A Woolmarket Road, Biloxi, (MS 39532).