Russell and Melvin Walker

Melvin (left; 1897-1935) and Russell (right; 1890-1923) were Mrs. Walker’s only two sons who lived into adulthood; a middle child, Armstead, died soon after he was born in 1894. Throughout their lives, both Melvin and Russell remained close by their mother’s side, living at home (even while raising families of their own) and working in various capacities for her bank, and fraternal organization, the Independent Order of St. Luke. Both boys died of illness while in their thirties but, thankfully, their wives and children continued on helping to preserve the home and setting its stage for the museum you see today.