Loretha Walker

Loretha was given life on June 27, 1930, in Marlin, Texas.

“Nanny,” as she was affectionately known, was a great joy to be around. Everyone she came in contact with loved her, and she genuinely loved them back.  To know her was to love her.

She received her education from the Marlin School District. As a young working woman, she met and married Dozie Slade. They moved to Hobbs, where he became an officer with the Hobbs Police Department, while she became a pillar of the community, working faithfully in various church departments and social club activities. Together, they brought beautiful children into the world.

Nanny discovered great passion in living and worked for the late Zearl T. Young, as well as the late Drs. McCormick and Kernan.

But perhaps her greatest remembrance lies in her giving back to the community through work as a foster mom, caring deeply for several children

Following Dozie’s death, she married Billy Walker, who also preceded her in death. They had no children, but she cared and loved his son, as she did her own.

She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters — Vera Benford of Hobbs, Lisa Slade of Littlerock, Ark., and Alyssa Slade of Hobbs; three sons — Richard (Debra) Slade of Midland, TX., Gerald (Joe Ann) Slade and Gabriel Slade, all of Hobbs; one step-son — Keith (Sheila) Ward of Hobbs; three siblings — brother, C.L. (Doris) Washington of Fort Worth, TX., and two sisters, Betty (Ernest) Hooper of Houston, TX., and Lois (Dennis) Donaldson of Tampa, Fla.;15 grandchildren — Rick (Melody) Jordan, Greg (Adrianne) Jordan, Sharla Slade, Shauna (Joe) Conic, Eric Benford, Kevin (Jenifer) Slade, Courtney (DeSundra) Slade, Cameron Slade, Douglas Slade, Shekenna Slade, R.J. Slade, Willie Bates, Brianna Slade, Brian Slade, Brad Slade, Christopher (Monica) Perfetto, Latisha (John) Wright, & ; 40 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Meeting her at the banks of Jordan is her mother, Aline Washington; a step-father, Virgil Washington; a son, Frank Slade; a granddaughter, Karla Jordan; two sisters, and three brothers.

It is fitting she started her Christian journey at Ebenezer BC long ago and she concludes her earthly journey here at Ebenezer BC.