Charnella D. Walden

March 20, 1973 - November 30, 2020

With deep sorrow, we announce to all whose lives she touched, the passing of Charnella Walden, a woman whose voice was as beautiful as her spirit and her smile. Charnella Denise Walden was born on March 20, 1973 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Alberta Witherspoon and Willie J. Walden Sr. On Monday, November 30, 2020, Charnella transitioned to be with the Lord, and she is now resting eternally with our Heavenly Father. Charnella attended Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale and early on had a life that was full of music. She always sung for the Lord, and though she could sing anything, it was for God that she chose to sing. In the early 90’s, she formed and sang with the Ft. Lauderdale Golden Voices. Soon thereafter, she joined Melvin Dawson & Genesis Ensemble, and by the age of 20 years old she was already a recording artist on the song, “Don’t Give Up.” In 2003, she joined the Mighty Ones and for 17 years continued to sing to the glory of God. Though a native of Florida, Charnella spent the last two decades in CT and worked in a couple of different arenas. Upon her arrival to CT, she provided child care services to support her working family members, and in this role, she acquired surrogate children who will forever know her as ‘mama-Char.’ It didn’t take her long to recognize her anointing to work with young people, and for twelve years, she worked with displaced and troubled adolescents. Charnella accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age while she was still living in Florida. And in 2008, she joined Faith, Healing and Deliverance Ministries of CT under the leadership of Sr. Pastor Sandra Jefferson and made it her church home. Charnella loved the Lord and faithfully served Him. She was always ready and willing to pray, and she enjoyed glorifying God as a part of the Praise & Worship Team. She ministered and encouraged others with songs like ‘I Won’t Complain,’ His Eye is on the Sparrow’ and ‘Waymaker’. Charnella could make anyone laugh, and if you spent time with her, you probably heard her say, “aht aht, don’t do that” more times than you can count. Charnella had nicknames from many people, but the name most dear to her was ‘Mom’ which her children, Kejuan and Ziamerria, called her. She could often be heard quoting the scripture, “better is the end of a thing than the beginning” (Eccl 7:8). Charnella loved hard, she loved well and she will be missed by all who knew her. Devoted daughter of Alberta Witherspoon and Willie J. Walden Sr. (Gwendlyn), loving mother of Ziamerria L. Gordon and Ke’juan James D. Gordon; doting grandmother of Quest Mekhi J. Walker; companion for over 15 years Darrell L. McClam; loving siblings of Jesse D. Witherspoon, Apostle Jimmie L. Butler (Althea), Willie J. Walden Jr. (Marcia), Edward Walden, Michelle Walden, Linda Walden and Brenda Reed (Sam). She also leaves to cherish her memory Tatiana, Diante and Darjahne McClam who affectionately called her mom along with a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.