Jeanett Graves Walker

VIRGINIA BEACH - Jeanett Graves Walker, affectionately known as 'Jen,' entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, in INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Va.
Jeanett was a native of Newport News, Va., and was the second of three children born to James T. and Magnolia W. Graves. She was educated in Newport News Public Schools system and was a 1965 graduate of Huntington High School. Jeanett retired from Verizon formerly known as Bell Atlantic Telephone Company after 28 years of service.
She was preceded in death by her father, James T. Graves, and her sister, Doris V. Brown.
Jeanett was a very faithful and active member of Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. She was a member of the Gospel Choir, the Senior Choir, the Praise Singers, the Pastoral Relations Committee, the Aerobics Ministry, the Courtesy Guild, the Marilyn McMillian/Doris Griffin Missionary Society, and the Usher Ministry.
Jeanett was a 2004 lung transplant recipient and had been given a new lease on life. She was an active and dedicated volunteer for LifeNet Health, the nation's largest non-profit full service organ donation agency and tissue banking system. An engaging and dynamic speaker, Jeanett performed various duties such as speaking bi-weekly at LifeNet Health's new employee orientation, as well as attending regular volunteer meetings. She was also a regular participant in the annual In Celebration & Remembrance events held to honor donors and their families. Additionally, she spoke at health fairs and other programs for Sentara HealthCare.
Jeanett worked passionately to raise awareness of minority-related issues at such events as the National Minority Donation Awareness Day. As a member of the Interfaith Advisory Council on Donation, Jeanett participated as an advisor to the Lion Medical Eye Bank & Research Center of Eastern Virginia and as a resource to the community concerning donation and transplantation. She also participated in other faith-based events such as the Baptist General Convention.
Jeanett was most active as a participant in the Decision: Donation educational program, in which she spoke to several thousand high school students across the Hampton Roads area about organ donation and transplantation issues. Decision: Donation is a part of the Standards of Learning (SOL) for the state of Virginia. Jeanett also spoke at the collegiate level to students at Tidewater Community College and at Norfolk State University.
Jeanett was also an active volunteer at the Suntrust Marathon in Richmond, Va., in which proceeds go to educate and encourage people to sign up to become organ and tissue donors. In May of this year, she won a gold medal in the shot-put at the Virginia Senior Games in Virginia Beach, Va., and in July, she participated on Team Virginia at the U. S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she also won a gold medal. She was a valued and dedicated volunteer. She was also a vibrant, caring, funny and remarkable friend to many people at LifeNet Health. Her story touched the lives of many people.
Jeanett was dedicated to community service. In addition to her services with LifeNet, she was also member of the International Black Women's Congress, the Red Hat Society, a volunteer for the FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia and the Oakmont Community Development Center both in conjunction with Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 39 years, David J. Walker Sr. of Virginia Beach; two sons, Rodney B. Jones Sr. (Kimberly) of Chesapeake, David J. Walker Jr. of Virginia Beach; one daughter, Davida W. Chapman (Keith) of Chesapeake; her mother, Magnolia W. Graves of Newport News; two sisters, Janice M. Harmon of Hampton and Robin D. Graves of Newport News; one nephew, Thomas E. Harmon of Minneapolis, Minn.; six grandchildren, one great-nephew, one great-niece, one great-great-niece, other relatives and numerous friends.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Joseph Patrick Lee Jr. presiding. The family will assemble by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at her residence for the procession to the church.
Charitable donations can be made in her honor to LifeNet Health Foundation at 1864 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
Professional services entrusted to Metropolitan Funeral Service. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.