Walker descendants gather August 19 for family reunion

Tom Poland

Author Tom Poland presented the program at the 87th consecutive annual reunion of the descendants of Daniel Lumpkin Walker and Margaret Elizabeth Stephenson Walker as they gathered at Fishing Creek Baptist Church Sunday, August 19.

Poland is the son of the late John Mitchell Poland and Ruth Walker Poland of Lincolnton and the greatgreat grandson of Daniel Lumpkin and Margaret Stephenson Walker.

He is a full-time free-lance write and adjunct professor of Journalism at the University of South Carolina. He has written the script for six nonfictionbooks and has published over 400 articles in local, state, regional and national magazines. His first novel, "Forbidden Island: An Island Called Sapelo," was published in March 2007 by Authorhouse. Copies of the book are available online at all major bookstores.

For six years, Poland worked as a scriptwriter and cinematographer, primarily in the South Carolina Low Country and its barrier islands. While filming on a primitive barrier island one evening, a fog rolled in, trapping him there overnight. That experience led to "Forbidden Island" and the mythical Georgialina.

Poland gave interesting details of writing this novel and his inspiration for places, names and situations and the group was thoroughly entertained by his descriptions of his experiences as an "extra" in the George Clooney movie, "Leatherheads," filmed in South Carolina.

Prior to his presentation and dinner, many of the group enjoyed attending church services at Fishing Creek while others arrived at noon laden with their favorite covered dishes.

Before lunch a very pleasant hour was spent greeting old friends, sharing news, looking at vintage photographs and viewing genealogy charts.

At 1 p.m. Roger Walker welcomed the group and Phillip Bunch offered the blessing for the food. After the wonderful covered dish meal, Linda Anthony made announcements and introduced the guest speaker.

After the program, group photos were made to be included in the family newsletter.

About 50 people were present. Attending were descendants from the families of William Lawrence Walker and his first wife, Georgia Brown Walker; William Lawrence Walker and his second wife, Florence Ford Walker; Bid Walker and Emma Morrison Walker, Charlie L.Walker and Janie Bailey Walker. A descendant of Dr. O.B. Walker also attended.

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