Zenobia Waller

ZENOBIA ANITA WALLER was born in Hempstead, Texas, September 22, 1936 to Theodore Roosevelt Watson and Ida Mae Smalley. She came to San Diego, California with her mother in 1946 and considered herself a native. Zenobia attended Burbank Elementary; Memorial Jr. High; graduated from San Diego High; and spent her freshman year as a “Helen of Troy” at USC.

Zenobia was joined in marriage to David Earl Lloyd, the first Black Shipbuilder in San Diego, California and was blessed with five beautiful daughters; Bridget Evans, Lori Carter (Wayne) Lisa Lloyd, Shelley Lloyd, Joy Edwards (Leon). She later married James Franklin Waller.

She was blessed with six beautiful grandchildren. Ashley, her only granddaughter, a graduate of Murrieta Christian College, is an accomplished artist, photographer and Montessori trained educator. Adam Carter, attends Mesa College and is studying graphic arts and design. Andrew Carter, is a genius at numbers and dates. Nathaniel Bolden, a Sales Representative resides in Henderson, Nevada. Nicholas Bolden, a Distribution and Merchandise representative at Amazon; Leon “Joshua” Edwards, high school student, our next Yoyo Ma, is a protégé cellist.

Zenobia began her career initially working for the City of San Diego as the first Black Woman to be hired in the City’s Personnel Department. She continued her career with the San Diego Unified School District as a School Secretary, beginning her tenure at Logan Elementary. After 33 years of dedicated service, she entered the wonderful state of retirement.

Zenobia was an avid reader. Some of her favorite authors included J. California Cooper, Jonathan Kellerman, Mary Higgins Clark, and James Patterson to name a few. She also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, and listening to many genres of music which included Gospel, Jazz, Classic R&B, light Classics, and show tunes.

Zenobia had a zest for life. A few of her many pleasures were spending time with and attending the theater with her daughters, fine dining with fellow members of the Epicureans and the Yacht Club and travelling, especially free-style cruising. Zenobia believed in exposing her girls to the finer things in life.  We always joked that we had champagne tastes on a Kool-Aid budget. Many people didn’t know that she was a voracious tennis fan. Those that had the pleasure of watching matches with her experienced her enthusiasm for the game, especially when Rafa Nadal and the Williams Sisters were playing, which were her favorites.

Being an only child, her closest friends became her brothers and sisters. The love and friendship she shared with Freddie Lee Crossley, Lorenzo and Barbara Smith, which began in junior high school and one through marriage, lasted a lifetime.

Zenobia was preceded in death by her dear, sweet, beloved daughter Shelley, her devoted and beloved mother, father, sister Freddie, and brother Lorenzo.

Zenobia was called home to peace and rest with our Lord and Savior Wednesday, May 3, 2018 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving daughters Bridget, Lori, Lisa (who was one of her caregivers for the last 3 years of her life) and Joy; her grandchildren Ashley, Adam, Andrew, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Joshua, honorary grand-daughter Tayler, and a host of relatives and friends.

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