Wendell Mae Walker

Wendell was educated in the River Rouge school system, and she furthered her education at Wayne County Community College. After college, she was employed at Sauder Brothers until getting employed by General Motors (GM). Wendell Walker worked in the upholstery department making/repairing seats of the GM vehicles for years. She was also a union representative for GM, traveling all over the world, being in the first and oldest union of GM (Local 174). She worked at GM until retirement. After working and retiring, she took a part-time job in the retail industry at Muirheads, Jacobsons, and Crowley’s. After these retailers closed their doors, Wendell moved to Sears and Roebuck, where she comfortably greeted and met many friends and families in the community. She stayed at Sears until her second retirement as she cared for her late husband, Willie R. Walker. Along her work years, she also tapped into her creative side and worked for Fannies Creation as a Florist.

She was also a longtime member of the Order of Eastern Star (Edith Benford Chapter #35) where she served as a worthy Matron.

Wendell’s first marriage to the late Albert Agnew brought her beloved daughter, the late Sharon Celsetine Agnew (Smith) (Boby R.). The marriage later ended and she went on to marry the late Benny Smith, which brought her beloved son, the late Walden R. Smith. This marriage later ended and she married the final love of her life, a tall cup of water, Willie R. Walker, and they stayed married and celebrated 58 years of marriage, until his passing in 2009. Although Wendell and Willie never had children together, he affectionately cared for and considered Sharon and Ronnie to be his own. Each chapter brought its own experiences and memories.

Even though her two children and longtime son-in-law (Boby R. Smith) preceded her in death, she leaves to cherish her precious memories: eldest granddaughter Tineke D. Alexander (Reggie), youngest granddaughter Urania S. Smith, great granddaughters Tayler and Alexis Alexander, and great grandson Bobby Speller. Great great-granddaughters Blaire and Alana Speller, sister-in-law Callie Ann Johnson, special niece and close friend Mamie Dell Woodard, three nieces; Kimblery Austen (James), Desha Johnson-Makiya (Gorge), and Terry Ann McGinnis, and nephews Reginald Kilgore and Chris Johnson (Angel); and a host of niece/nephews and special children in her life; Pastor Dennis Smith Sr. (Min. Angela), The Milan Family (Deamaire, Derrick, and Tracy) the New Heaven Ministries Church Family with special members, Minister Clayton Smith (Dea. Kathy), adopted daughter Gwen Smith Union Second Baptist Church Family with special members Lenora Moore, Sonya Gatson Wells, Kimi Miles and family; and a host of very close friends, work buddies, Robbie Celeski and Mattie Bush; a special friend/neighbor Betty Simmons (Tony), special friend/ longtime doctor; Dr. Vanessa Robinson of Henry Ford Health Systems, the Gaines Family (Robbie Jr., Macie, Raylie, Malia, and Robbie Gaines III), an extended great-granddaughter in-law Chelsea Olana (Londyn), and the entire staff at EAI, where she attend for a Senior Day Program.