WILLIAMSBURG — Lotha Joan Jennette, daughter of the late Alex Walker and Kate Walker was born on January 7, 1941, in South Hill, Virginia. She departed this life on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
She was raised in Washington, D.C., where she attended Cardozo High School. In her senior year at Cardozo, she was appointed Valedictorian of her class. After high school, she moved to New York where she attended college majoring in the legal field.
Lotha, also known as “Fruitty” or “Fruitcake” to her family, worked on Wall Street in Manhattan, New York, Legal Aide Services, and for the College of William & Mary where she eventually retired. She was a loyal volunteer of the Big Brother/Big Sister Program where she nourished her little sister Lesa Boone. Their bond and relationship have lasted over forty-three years. She also volunteered faithfully at Faith In Action Organization located in Williamsburg.
Lotha is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jennette; parents, Alex and Kate Walker; sister, Jenny Haynes; grandson, Glendale Collins; two brothers-in-law, Robert Haynes and Joe Newkirk; and ex-husband, Bennie Barnes.
Left to cherish Lotha’s precious memories are her daughters, Deanna Collins of Maryland; Jeanette Mock of Williamsburg, Virginia; Evelyn Jones, Robin Best, and Bennie Barnes, Jr., all of New York, whom she helped raised until adulthood; three granddaughters, Tushema Collins of Maryland, Sherene Sterns of Virginia, and Shawnta Collins of Maryland; sixteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Edith Newkirk of Virginia; special life-long friend, Carolyn Thompson of Maryland; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at noon Friday, February 25, 2022, at Whiting’s Funeral Home. Live stream will be available at the beginning of the service. Mrs. Jennette may be viewed from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of her service. Facial coverings are required for all services.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
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