Marian Walker Obituary

Marian Walker, age 73, of Leland, NC passed away in the early morning of November 2,  2024.

A celebration of her life was held November 9, 2024 11:00 AM at Davis Funeral Home in Wilmington, NC. Interment followed at Piney Grove Community Cemetery in Bolivia, NC.

Marian Walker was born on February 18, 1951, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was adopted shortly after her birth by Ned Walker and Jeanette Walker (Dixon). She entered into eternal rest on November 2, 2024, at Northchase Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.

A child of a U.S. Navy mess steward, Marian spent her early life moving from naval facility to naval facility, though she was educated primarily in the public schools of Pensacola, Florida, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia and earned a scholarship to Spring Garden College, though she chose to forfeit the scholarship upon the birth of her first and only son Dennis.

In 1977 Marian graduated from Community College of Philadelphia’s two ­year radiologic technology program, and successfully sat for and passed certification in X­-ray radiography from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. She was well renowned for her work as an X-­ray radiographer at Graduate Hospital for over 25 years. At the age of 51, she earned her Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration (concentration in Accounting) from Peirce College, also in Philadelphia.

In 2007 Marian moved to Pensacola, Florida to reconnect with cousins in the Walker family. In 2017 she moved to Brunswick Country, North Carolina to retire.

Marian passionately followed her favorite Philadelphia Eagles football team and cheered on all manner of sports from basketball to tennis. She was also known for her beautiful singing voice and her dancing skills, which she often displayed as an instructor. A friend to many in Leland, Philadelphia, and Pensacola, she was a devoted mother to her only son Dennis and his husband Allan. She will be missed by all who had the honor to know and love her.

Marian was married to Dennis Slade, Sr. from 1970 until their divorce in 1975, after which she never remarried.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Ned Walker and Jeanette Walker; her aunt Marion Sims; and her ex-­husband Shem Dhum Hum Sa-­Akhi (formerly Dennis Slade, Sr). Her love and memories will remain in the heart of her son, Dennis Slade, Jr. (Allan Powe) of Brooklyn, NY; half-­sister, Phyllis Faison of Altamonte Springs, FL and a host of relatives and friends.