Dr. Valda La Junne Pandy

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=614144822852563

Honoring the Life of our Beloved…

Valda La Junne Mabrey Pandy was an only child born was May 8, 1925 in Helena, Arkansas to Charles William Mabrey, Jr and Nellie Athena Gilliam Mabrey.

Valda graduated from Mary Holmes high school in 1942 and went on to graduate from Wilberforce University in 1946 and later Chicago College of Optometry in 1950. She earned a Master’s degree from Chicago Teacher’s College (now Chicago State University) and attended University of Chicago in pursuit of a Ph.D. Valda became the first woman and woman of color to graduate from Chicago College of Optometry. Valda became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority during her time in college.A very purposeful and driven woman is what she was and demonstrated it throughout her life. Valda worked for the Gary School system for 18 years, then the Chicago Public Schools from 1977 until she retired. She practiced Optometry on the West Side of Chicago on Madison Avenue as well as working for the Department of Education; Bureau of Education Handicapped in Washington, D.C. Valda showed us what was possible, how to dream and how to achieve. She was a successful and accomplished woman full of determination and a will to continue to grow and advance in a time that was not always ready to receive us.

She led a busy and productive life. In 1946, she married Lewis C. Pandy II, and were blessed with five beautiful children; Lewis C. Pandy III, Fabian Mabrey Charles Pandy, Mario G. Pandy, Stephen Darryl Pandy, and Pamela L. Pandy. They would travel to see family from coast to coast. As the years passed by they became proud grandparents would often take the grandchildren to Union Pier in Michigan, yearly summer trips to Valdosta, Georgia, Clarksdale, Mississippi and even managed to take a couple of trips to Disney Word. Those trips were a great time for all of them, but nothing beats a trip to visit grandma and granddaddy.

What a selfless and generous woman she was. Valda supported and donated to innumerable charities to the likes of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United Negroes College Fund, Special Olympics, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Doctors Without Borders, Art Institute of Chicago, America’s Wounded Warriors Foundation, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and Running Strong for American Indian Youth. The list goes on and on. What a remarkable women, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and many of you get to say she was a part of your life and you were a part of her story.

Her husband Lewis C. Pandy II preceded Valda in death along with sons Fabian Mabrey Charles Pandy, I., Mario G. Pandy, Stephen Darryl Pandy, daughter Pamela L. Pandy and both parents.

On Monday, July 13, 2020, Valda closed her eyes to this world and opened them to the vastness of Heaven.

Valda’s legacy and memory will be cherished and shared by her son Lewis C. Pandy III (Chicago, IL), grandchildren Renee I. Pandy (Chicago, IL), Lewis C. Pandy IV (Glen Carbon, IL), Fabian Charles Mabrey Pandy II (New Baltimore, Michigan and Eric T. Pandy (Crystal) (Fowler, IN); great grandson Joshua E. Pandy (Fowler, IN) in addition to nieces, nephews and cousins, she will be missed and remembered by countless friends and various communities.

In consideration of the safety of our guests and associates, Blake-Lamb Funeral Home will adhere to the current gathering restrictions in the State of Illinois, which allow 50 or fewer guests at services. Proper social distancing must be practiced and all guests will be required to wear face masks at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.