mamie anderson walker
1884-1924
Life Story
Early Life
Mamie Anderson Walker was born on June 16, 1884, in Newton County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Tom Anderson (1860–1929) and Pennina (Penninah) Flowers, a family rooted in the Lawrence, Mississippi community. Mamie grew up in a rural agricultural environment typical of Black families in late 19th-century Newton County.
Marriage and Family
Mamie married William Walker (1882–1948), a member of the extensive Walker family that played a foundational role in the Bethel crossing and Altare communities. From their union, one known child was born:
- T. C. Walker (1904–?)
Their household, like many of the era, was sustained through hard work and farming.
Occupation and Daily Life
Mamie worked as a farm laborer, contributing to the family’s livelihood through physically demanding agricultural work. Her role reflects the common responsibilities of Black women during the early 20th century, whose labor, both in the home and in the fields, was essential to family survival.
Illness and Death
Mamie Walker passed away on December 28, 1924, at the age of 40. Her death certificate lists the cause of death as cancer of the uterus, a condition for which there were few effective treatments available at the time, especially for rural African American women with limited access to medical care.
The informant on her death certificate was Louis Walker, her brother-in-law, indicating his role in helping the family through the process of documenting her passing.
Burial
Mamie was laid to rest at Bethel, a burial ground commonly associated with what is now referred to as the Evans Cemetery and connected to the longstanding Walker, Evans, Chapman, and Anderson family networks.
Legacy
Although her life was cut short, Mamie Anderson Walker remains an important part of the Anderson and Walker lineages. Her story reflects the strength and resilience of Black women in rural Mississippi—women whose contributions often went unrecorded but whose lives formed the backbone of their communities. Through preserved records and family memory, Mamie’s place in history continues to be honored.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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