Lena Belle Walker

Lena Belle Walker, affectionately known as Ding, was born the 5th of 8 children to Henry and Inez Strickland, on January 6, 1929 in Charleston, West Virginia. She attended Garnett High School where she excelled in softball and a variety of other sports. She attended and graduated from one of the first Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Storer College, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, Lena worked as an Executive Secretary for Lakin State Hospital for a number of years. During her time at Lakin she met the person who would become the second most important love of her life, (the first being the Lord), for the next 45 years, Roland Lee Walker. Smitten by Lena’s beauty, charm and wit, Roland proposed on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1959, and they were married one month later on March 14, 1959 in West Virginia. Roland said, ‘‘Marrying her was the single most important and life changing event in my life.’’ Shortly after marrying, she and Roland decided to move to California.

Once in California, Lena worked as a medical office manager for her brother, Dr. Bernard E. Strickland. In December of 1965, and then again in 1967, God placed a desire and compassion in her heart to raise her sister’s children. During this time Lena decided to focus her attention primarily on her family and became a full time mom. She and Roland also received an additional blessing with the arrival of their daughter Lisa. Later, as the children grew older, Lena returned to the work force as an Administrative Assistant at Davis Jr. High School in Compton, CA.

From early in her childhood Lena always felt the desire and need to serve the Lord. This was manifested in a number of ways. Always one to spread the word of God and tell of His goodness, Lena became involved with Dean and Mary Jean Brown of Good News Family Ministries, Long Beach CA, and their singing ministry, The Good News Kids, of which her daughter Lisa was a member. Through her involvement with this ministry, she was introduced to the founder of World Opportunity International and Help the Children, Dr. Roy McKewon, and began missionary work, traveling with him to Africa to help those in need, and to spread and teach the word of God. She traveled twice to the Holy Land with her then 90 year old mother and the founder of Calvary Chapel, Pastor Chuck Smith. She also, along with several of her friends established a daily 5am prayer line, which continued for well over 30 years.

Over Lena’s lifetime, her joy for the Lord and infectious smile always showed through in every aspect of her life. Some of her favorite pastimes included, playing the piano, (Moonlight Sonata and We’re Having Fish for Supper were favorites), reading, beating Adrienne in Scrabble, spending time with her grandchildren, and cooking for her family. She lived her life by Proverbs 3:5-6; “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” She was a devoted wife, beloved mother, treasured sister, cherished grandmother, and loyal friend. She made a lasting impact on the lives of everyone she met and she will be deeply missed. The Lord called Lena home on September 21, 2017.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Inez Strickland, her husband Roland Walker, and five other brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children, John Jewell of Los Angeles, California, Adrienne Slade (Rolland) of Spring Valley, California, Anthony Jewell (Yolinda) of Vacaville, California, James Jewell of Compton, California, Lisa Walker of Moreno Valley, California, brother, Dr. Bernard E. Strickland (Anne), sister, Bernice Marcus of St Louis Missouri, grandchildren, Jay Slade, Ryan Slade, Alexandra Slade and Alyssa Jewell, and a host of other relatives and friends.