Ernestine S. (Tena) Walker

Ernestine S. (Tena) Walker was the only child of the late Ernest (Buck) Sitton and Christine (Betty) Sitton of Easley, South Carolina. She was a 1968 graduate of Clearview High School where she excelled academically, both skipping the 11th grade and graduating as her class valedictorian. Tena then went on to attend the University of South Carolina where she began her lifelong commitment as a Gamecock. From USC she obtained her BS in Psychology, MEd in Psychological Counseling, and MBA (triple major) in Strategy, Marketing and Management. It was also at USC where Tena met the love of her life, Harry. The two dated throughout college and married in 1973, when they began their life together in Columbia. Tena began her professional career at Midlands Technical College, serving in various capacities including the Director of Admissions and Registration. In 1978, Tena began her career with BellSouth Telecommunications where she worked until her retirement. While at BellSouth, Tena worked in various supervisory, managerial, and executive level capacities in sales and marketing. At the time of her retirement in 2002, Tena was the Executive Director of Customer Operations for BellSouth DCS/Cingular Wireless. Tena was very active in the community, both professionally and civically. She was a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce (former Board member); Columbia Rotary Club; Carolina Care Plan (former Board member and Interim CEO); Columbia College Board of Visitors (former Board Chairperson); YWCA of the Midlands (former Board Chairperson); Columbia Urban League (former Board member); and the South Carolina Commission on Women (gubernatorial appointment). Throughout her lifetime, she was a member of various civic organizations, including Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; The Moles, Inc.; and The Links, Inc. Tena also chartered the initial line of the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., at the University of South Carolina, and—much to her delight—would go on to see both of her daughters be inducted into the Chapter as well. Despite all of her professional accolades, Tena’s proudest accomplishment was her family. She leaves behind her loving husband and best friend of 42 years, Harry (or “Hab” as she affectionately referred to him), and her two daughters, Breon and Meghan, to whom she affectionately referred to as “the girls.” Tena would always end voicemails to her girls with: “Always remember that Mom loves you, I’m so proud of you, and I will always be your biggest fan.” The other loves of Tena’s life were her godson, Ward (Lavita) Harriford, and her “adopted son” Michael (Natasha) Triplett, Sr., with whom she shared amazing bonds. In addition to her immediate family, Tena is survived by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Curtis S. Walker, and her cousins: Mrs. Dorothy (John) Woods, Mrs. Joyce (Maxie) Ruth, Mrs. Oree Maxine (Tyrone) Johnson, Mrs. Mary Ann (Craig) Hunter, Mr. William Lloyd (Brenda Faye) Hendrix, and Mrs. Cora Lyvonne (John) Langston. Tena also leaves behind a large extended family including two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and last—but definitely not least—her beloved Pomeranian, Gizmo. **In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to https://www.yourfoundation.org/give-now/form?fund=LinkScholars+Program+Fund Or checks can be mailed to Links Scholars Program, c/o Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia, SC 29204 Or to https://donate.cancer.org/index?_ga=1.171449824.1916884472.1436366796 Or checks can be mailed to American Cancer Society,128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

Ernestine S. (Tena) Walker

March 23, 1951 - January 30, 2016