Inez Walden

Our beloved Inez Walden died peacefully in her sleep at home on November 12th, 2020. She was born in Brusly, Louisiana on September 17, 1926 to the union of Victor and Emma Landry. Inez was the last surviving child and the youngest of six siblings. After graduating high school and briefly attending Southern University she married Obie Tate and moved to Seattle, Washington. From this union they were blessed with 7 children. As a newly self-sufficient single parent in the 60’s she took pride in her role as a riveter at the Boeing Co. where her all-time favorite plane was the 747. While successfully balancing a career and family she met Anthel ‘Tony’ Walden and married the love of her life in November of 1972. Together they settled in Kirkland Washington where their home became the hub of countless family gatherings and festive holiday parties. Inez and Tony created many memories traveling, fishing and exploring the country with their camper in toe. After 4 decades of a beautiful partnership Tony Walden passed in 2013.

Inez was affectionately known as ‘Nana’ by anyone she was introduced to. Her home was always open to neighborhood kids when she lived on Angeline St in Seattle, WA and that continued when they moved to into their home in Kirkland. Nana loved clothes, cooking, flowers and gardening. She loved her family and friends, she always made sure to call or send a card, so they knew she was thinking about them.

She is preceded in death by her husband Anthel Walden, son Ronald Tate, grandson Alfie Mitchell, her brothers Emmett, Gordon and Warren Landry, and her sisters Corrine Landry and Lela Ware.

She is survived by her 6 children, Lynette Jackson Tate, Diane Mathews, Eddie Tate, Karen Tate, Donald Tate Sr., Obie Tate III (Helene Tate).

13 Grandchildren, Kimberly Howard (Rev. Delman Howard), Christopher Jackson, Roy Mathews (Wendy), Ricky Mathews, Kenyatta Mathews, Mia Anglin, Rochelle Tate (Joseph Phillips), James Reese (Anne), Donald Tate Jr., Erica Tate, Tara Tate-Daggett (Sam), Kacie Washington (Michael), Traci Rountree (Keith).

24 Great-Grandchildren: Kimaria Howard-Lewis, Kianna Lewis, Dominick Lewis, Tre Lawson, Larissa Jackson, Isabelle Jackson, Mari Mathews, Raina Mathews, Daylen Mathews, Chante Ashley (Zach), Malia Valentine (Matt), Javon Anglin, Ryan Anglin, Tatum Phillips, Parker Phillips, Tamia Reese, Marcus Reese, Biniam Tate, Emerie Tate, Zoe Tate-Daggett, Brooklyn Washington, Michael Washington Jr., KJ Rountree and Kairo Rountree.

Her 8 Great-Great Grandchildren: Kimaya Lewis Ealy, Myla Ashley, Kamden Ashley, Mikiya Valentine, Mika Valentine, Matt Valentine Jr., Mischa Valentine and Arriana Sattiewhite as well as a host of nieces and nephews across the country.

She was loved dearly by so many, especially her family and will be truly be missed. Though she has departed from us physically we know that Inez “Nana” Walden will always be in our hearts. As a woman of faith, she read her bible daily, it was always on the right of her bedside. Her favorite passages were The Lord’s Prayer, Psalms 23, and 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 which says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

The memories Nana left with her family and those who knew her will always be cherished. There will always be a beautiful moment to look back on and draw strength from because that is what she was. Strength. A true fighter in every sense of the word. She stood firm in what she believed and was not afraid to voice those beliefs. She did not just survive, she lived. She loved hard and that love was returned to her greater than what she could have ever asked for. She had many accomplishments, but her family was her greatest. She left a beautiful legacy behind for them all to protect. If we learned nothing else from Nana, it is to “hang in there”. Things may not always be what we want or even what we intend. It may be hard, and it may hurt. Hold on just a little bit longer and it will be alright after a while. Fight for what you believe in and hold on to those you love and care about. She was always “hanging in here” and because of that she got to live an exceptional life.

We will love you always and forever Nana! You will never be forgotten!

The viewing will be at Serenity Funeral home 749 Central Ave. N. Kent, WA on Wednesday November 25th, 2020, 10am-11:30am. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Inez Walden (Nana) will be privately interred at Mt. Tahoma cemetery at 12:30pm.

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