Mrs. Julia Venable was a beautiful person, both inside and out.  Loved and affectionately referred to as Nana by so many.  She had a genuine loving spirit.

On March 18, 1932, Julia Matilda Gomez, was born to her parents Edith and Edgar in Bronx, NY.  With her daughter's best interest at heart, her mother sent Julia to be raised by her grandparents, Hilliard and Susie Wyatt in Philadelphia, PA.  As she told it, her grandparents loved to make life easy for her and would often tell her to "Sit down and put your feet up, and that's exactly what she did!"

As an adolescent, she adopted the name Julia Marie.  Although she was adjusting to school life in Philly, she would face struggles of social acceptance.  Still, "Jewel" established life-long friendships with Delores, Emmie, Minnie and Ann.  She graduated from West Philadelphia High School in January 1950.

On July 2, 1955, Julia married her childhood friend and love, Vernon R. Turner.  Their union would produce their only child.  Julia wanted their daughter to be her grandmother's namesake and named their baby girl Susan Marie.  Julia and Vernon enjoyed trips to Teaneck, NJ with Baby Susan, to visit her mother Edith and step-father Carl (Daddy Carl).  When Susan was about 18 months old, the trio would move to Cherry Hill, NJ where Vernon would see 4 complete seasons before his sudden passing.

Despite a heartbreaking loss, she was able to find love again.  In the fall of 1970, Julia met and fell in love with Isaac Venable.  They were married on April 22, 1972 and lovingly blended their families together as one in their Cherry Hill home.  Julia and Isaac enjoyed traveling, entertaining friends and were known to host fun-filled cookouts at their home.  Together, the God-fearing duo were faithful members of Grace Temple Baptist Church and were dedicated to the choir and other ministries that touched the saints.  They also joined the church's bowling league where they perfected the strike and earned many trophies that graced the shelves of their home.

Julia was a known caregiver.  She outpoured a special love into the care of family members, step-father Daddy Carl, her sister-in-law, Aunt Bert, her grandparents and her granddaughter, Joy.  To know her was to know love...love that she selflessly shared that implanted everlasting smiles on the heart.

Julia leaves to cherish her memory, children, Susan Harper (Michael), Barbara E. Gibbs (Bruce), Tyrone K. Venable; grandchildren, Joy Harper, Michael Harper, Jr., Shawn Harper, Jasmyne Harper, Jessyca Harper, April Smith (predeceased), Tiffany Brown (Shawn), Daniel Brooks, Dion Richardson (Teynae), Natasha Richardson, Breon Epps (John'e) and Chemia Hayes (Tony), many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Julia will also be forever remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.