Lenora Yulane Wade

Lenora Wade was born on February 22, 1956, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Elois Hamlin and Russell Wade. In spite of some early documented neurological medical issues, Lenora had a very happy childhood. Determined to involve her in as many beneficial activities as possible, Lenora was enrolled in several day programs, the three most beneficial being Sharpe Health, United Cerebral Palsy Center (UCP), and Brookland Senior Day Care, all located in Washington, D.C. Always close and interactive with family members, one of her first accomplishments was to notify her mother that her newborn baby brother was finally walking. This was done by yelling out these exact words, “He walking mom, he walking.” That days’ interaction would forge a long-lasting, close bond between Lenora and her little brother, Harold. Always the extrovert, Lenora would verbally interact with all manner of people she met. Her opening lines would always be “What’s your name? My names’ Nora. I like your hair”. This conversation format would always delight strangers and lead to more engagement. This style would prove beneficial as Lenora was always the centerpiece of every event she attended; and she attended alot. Some of her most positive traits involved dress up, family gatherings (i.e.: birthday parties, Xmas gatherings, etc), music, watching television, shopping, and traveling. Not much of an early riser, an inherited trait from her pops, Lenora was a night owl who came alive after midnight. She also enjoyed church and went often with her host home family to services at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church. As you might expect, she was a well liked attendee by the entire congregation. As her mom began to age, she came up with a very successful transition-of-care plan. She persuaded Mr. Hawkins, Lenora’s initial teacher at UCP, to accept her as a full-time resident in his home. If you knew Elois Hamlin, it was hard to tell her no. So, in January of 2009, Lenora was relocated to a host home family, with Dwayne and Theodosia Hawkins as her new day to day care givers. We, her immediate family were somewhat concerned with her adaptability. There was no need to worry. Lenora arrived and thrived in this new residential environment. As her brother, I gained a brother-from-another-mother in Dwayne. God Bless the immediate Hawkins clan and their entire extended families.

On Thursday, March 31, 2022, at approximately 10:13 AM, Lenora went home to be with her biological mother and other Hamlin ancestors after a brief illness. She is survived by her brother Harold (Denise), her niece Paige, the Hawkins family (Dwayne, Theodosia, and Tierra), her father, Russell Wade, one aunt (Geneva Harrod) and a large contingent of cousins. At the time of transition, Lenora was 66 years old. Say hello to MOMs and rest in Paradise BIG SIS!