Emagene Delano

Emagene (Walker) Delano was the oldest of four children born to Earnest and Althena Walker. She was born in the family’s home in Hallett, OK on May 12, 1926. She passed from this life on June 9, 2024, in the 98th year and 28th day of her long life.

She completed all her early education while in Hallett, graduating from high school in 1944 in a class of two boys and three girls. Her mother and father decided to uproot the family and move to Stillwater, OK, in 1944 so that Emagene and her younger sister could attend Oklahoma A&M (now OSU).

During the fall of 1946, she met our father, a tall handsome WWII veteran attending OK A&M classes. She reports that they were smitten with each other and they were married on June 1, 1947. We, the four children of that union, are all very pleased with their decision.

She was raised by devoted Christian parents who taught and modeled to her the sound biblical teachings on child rearing and the child’s respect and honoring of their parents. It is our testimony that she wonderfully honored her parents by bringing that legacy into the rearing of her four children and the influence that she had on her nine grandchildren.

In her later years, she would often ask us why God has kept her on this Earth for so many years and we would tell her that we believed for the honoring of her father and mother (see Ephesians 6:1-3), and also that God was still using her testimony in both word and deed.

She completed her higher education at UCO in Edmond, OK, in the early 1960s with a resulting teaching certificate. She taught elementary school in the OKC school system for about 12 years.

Upon our father’s retirement, at age 65 and in 1981, they moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, and resided there for 16 years. While there she became very skilled in many hobbies such as arts and crafts, crocheting, needlework, cross-stitching, tole painting, and canvas art, and became very accomplished as a quilter.

Together they moved three more times and finally settled in Choctaw, OK in 2005. She had resided in the Choctaw house for about 18 years. In September 2023 she needed more personal care, so we moved her into Jana’s house in Yukon, where she peacefully passed away.

Emagene was preceded in death by both parents; infant brother, Luther Howard Walker; two sisters, Mava V. Walker and Lou Ann Cook; and her beloved husband for over 62 years, Fred. Also preceding her were two daughters-in-law, Jeanette Delano and Carilee Delano; and one son-in-law, Dave Lemery.

She is survived by her four children, Rodney of Choctaw, Joel of Choctaw, Linda of Claremore, and Jana of Yukon. She is also survived by all nine grandchildren; all great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A visitation for Emagene will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 Se 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A funeral service will occur Friday, June 14, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with committal to follow at Sunny Lane Cemetery.