Wanda Juanita Walker

Wanda Juanita (Latimer) Walker, age 94, passed away November 11, 2021 in Lakeland, Florida. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 29, 1926 to the parents of Seldon and Annie (Brigance) Latimer. At the young age of 2 Wanda became deaf from an illness, but went on to have loving and fullfilled life. She was a high school graduate of the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville, TN., where she was basketball star too. After high school Wanda went on to marry Odie DeWitt Walker Jr on December 31, 1948 and had three loving children.

Wanda “Poppie” loved life, and enjoyed laughing at almost anything. She liked to dance silly dances, such as the Cabbage Patch dance, and was on a weekly bowling league for over 12 years. Poppie belonged to the local Deaf Community Club that met every month and did activities though out the years and would looked forward to the monthly connection with her friends.

Later in years, Wanda would have a very specific routine at home with her daughter Nancy Jo. Her daily routine would consist of her favorite must not miss shows, for example Let’s Make a Deal, Price is Right, and of course Ellen in the afternoons.

Poppie laughed all the time, and like Ellen on TV, her favorite saying was “Be Kind” and “Be Nice” and lived it. Wanda was a living example of how we all should live daily – by love and kindness. She will be missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Jo Wadlington of Plant City, seven grandkids, Jennifer (Steve) Jurnigan, Stephanie Ann Perez, Christina Irene Perez, Tyson Kyle Wadlington, Peter Thomas Walker, Brian Michael Walker, Scott Joseph Walker, and ten great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Juanita Irene (Walker) Perez, a son Odie DeWitt Walker III, and a sister, Seldon Trench