Jean W. Walker

Jean Walker was born on April 22, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Julia Rodgers Whitfield and John Whitfield. Jean was the youngest of nine children and educated in the Philadelphia public school system. She attended the Wolfe School, Tilden Junior High School, and Bartram Senior High School respectively. She also enjoyed studying sewing at Barratt Jr. High School as a hobby.

Jean worked at Horn and Hardart where she met Edward Lee Dennis Walker. They were married on December 9, 1950. To this union was born two wonderful children, Edward Alvin Walker and Phyllis Regina Walker. Affectionately known as the “Sugar Lady” Jean is most remembered for her work at Stephen F. Whitman’s Chocolates where she was a dedicated employee fulfilling several positions, including Supervisor, for 40 years. After her retirement she became a devoted caregiver to her two older sisters, Alice and Lula.

Jean attended Beulah Baptist Church when it was located in the Elmwood section of Southwest Philadelphia. While there she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Later in life Jean attended Christian Faith Baptist Church where the Rev. Joseph Brister presided. In the late 1970s she joined the congregation of Calvary Gospel Chapel under the leadership of Elder Joseph Ginyard. Jean later joined New Covenant Church of Philadelphia under the pastorate of Bishop C. Milton Grannum and Rev. Hyacinth Bobb Grannum where she served faithfully on the Sanctuary Choir, Jubilee Choir, Just Friends Ministry, and Discipleship Ministry.

Jean enjoyed traveling with her friends and church family, having memorable experiences on cruises, traveling to ten countries in ten days, as well as her travels to the Holy Lands. During her retirement on one of her excursions to Israel, she was baptized in the Jordan River.

As a resident of Titan Street in South Philadelphia for over 70 years, she was heavily involved in her neighborhood and community. Jean volunteered annually to serve as a poll worker on voting days and at the Lutheran Settlement House. She also took pride in serving civically advocating to local politicians for her neighborhood. She hosted Vacation Bible School for young children on her block for several years.

Her siblings, James Whitfield, Barney Whitfield, Charles Whitfield, John Whitfield, Fred Whitfield, Lula Whitfield (Graves), Carrie Whitfield, and Alice Whitfield (McJetters) each preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by her son, Edward A. Walker, and her son-in-law, Willie A. (Mickey)Blassingame. To cherish her memory Jean leaves her daughter Phyllis Blassingame; Her bonus son, Eugene Jonathan Walker, 7 grandchildren: David Walker, Lisa Whaley, Sophia Riley, Andrea Blassingame, Amanda Wells (James), Alana Blassingame, Andrew Blassingame (Chartel); 12 great-grandchildren; 3 nieces: Debbie Drake, Connie Whitfield, and Shirley Landers; 2 nephews: James Whitfield, Jr. and Tony McJetters; 2 special neighbor friends: Ms. Elsie Nichols and Ms. Carol Jones Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and adopted relatives.  Jean was very much loved and will be greatly missed.

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