polly walker evans
1893-1918
Life Story
Early Life in Altare
Polly Walker Evans was born on December 3, 1893, in the community of Altare in Newton County, Mississippi—a region known for its rich agricultural roots and closely connected families. She was the daughter of Sam Walker, Sr. (1875–?) and Kitson Lassiter Walker (1876–1943), who raised her in a household grounded in hard work, faith, and perseverance.
As a young girl, Polly spent much of her time on the family farm. There she learned the value of labor, responsibility, and cooperation—skills essential for sustaining rural households in early twentieth-century Mississippi.
Marriage and Brief Union
On May 15, 1918, Polly married Bob Evans. Their marriage was celebrated by family and friends who looked forward to the life they would build together. The union joined two families rooted in the Altare community and carried the promise of a shared future.
Tragically, that future was short-lived.
Illness and Passing
On October 18, 1918—just five months after her wedding—Polly became a victim of influenza. She was approximately 25 years old at the time of her death. Her passing occurred during the global influenza pandemic of 1918, which devastated communities across Mississippi and the nation.
Her father served as the informant on her death certificate, a detail that reflects the enduring closeness of her family even in grief. The certificate does not list a specific burial location; however, it is believed that she was laid to rest in the Altare community, where her family roots were firmly planted.
Legacy
Though her life was brief, Polly Walker Evans remains part of the enduring story of the Altare community. She represents a generation of young women whose lives were shaped by farm labor, family loyalty, and faith—yet cut short by an illness that altered countless families in 1918.
Her memory lives on within the Walker and Evans lineages and in the sacred soil of Altare, where her story continues to be remembered.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
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