Iona Ursula Sturge Walters was born on March 18, 1935, on the beautiful Caribbean island of Nevis, to George and Constantia Sturge.  She was the third oldest of ten children.  She later birthed ten children of her own.  Between the ages of 8 and 9, she moved to the neighboring island of St. Kitts to live with her aunts, Blanche and Bodecia.  She cared for them while attending school.  At a young age she took on the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning, which paid off in her adult life.  On May 21, 1953, at the age of  18, she married the late Samuel James Walters (Sammy), who was 34.  Yes he robbed the cradle but she was a great catch.  They resided in the community "Greenlands," until his passing.  He preceded her in death on April 14, 2011.  They were married for 57 years.  Becoming a widow did not stop her from living her best life.  From St. Kitts, she moved to Virginia for a fresh start.

Iona also known as "Granny," was an amazing woman who was hardworking, down to earth, frugal and thrifty, no nonsense, and full of life and jokes.  She didn't mind "telling it like it is."  To some she was a force to reckon with.  She trusted and believed in God. She loved to pray and give God praise.  She would often say "brisk up you self," meaning to lively up oneself.  She loved to save up for a rainy day.  She would often hide her money and forget where she put it.  Her favorite gift to receive was money.  She had a remedy for everything and she was a doctor at heart.  She often bragged, that in her youth, she was streamline with hair down her back.  In other words she was slim and pretty.  Her beauty followed her until death.  She was a housewife, who cared dearly for her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was also a trusted baby-sitter, to those that relied on her.  Cooking and baking were her pride and joy and she cooked everyday.  She was famous for her fruit cake, johnny cakes, sugar cake, coconut tart, goat water, fungi and fish, pig feet, saltfish and dumplings, tuna balls, cook-up and delicious soup.  And let's not forget about those juicy omelettes.  Everything she cooked was to perfection.  She was the grandmother that would fatten you up.  Her grandchildren can attest to that.  She loved to take care of home.

Iona loved to dance and wuk up.  She would hold one hand on her tummy, the other hand in the air and she would go down and come back up.  She cracked her own self up.  She had good knees and plenty rhythm.  She loved music and loved to sing hymns at the top of her lungs.  In her younger days she loved to watch her soap operas faithfully.  Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful were her favorites.  She loved to sit on the front porch and catch fresh breeze.  She had a contagious laugh that would make you laugh.  She had stories for days.  Her memory was sharp even in old age.

While residing in New York, Iona became a US citizen in 1996.  She traveled and lived in various states such as California, Kansas, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Iona is survived by her 3 sisters, Doreen Thompson, Syvilla Morris, Calmeta Sturge-Dore and 1 brother Wicklyn Sturge.  Her 10 children, Joycelyn Whindleton (Joyce), Wilfred Walters, James Walters (Wenty), Marilyn Grey, Ingrid Walters (Norma), Kathleen Joseph (hurricane Donna), Cynthia Washington (Cyntie), Gwendolynn Pruitt (Gwen), St. Clair Walters and Samuel Walters Jr. (Junie), 30 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren on the way and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.  It's a supernatural blessing that all 10 children are living and gathered here today.  Iona was loved, respected and cherished by many.  May her sweet spirit live on.

A viewing will be held at Agape Fellowship Ministries, 26 Perchwood Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, on Saturday May 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. The interment will be held privately.