Zelma Walker

'Walker, Zelma Phillips

    Zelma Phillips Walker was born February 18, 1904 on a Swan Creek farm near Bladen in Ohio Township, Gallia County, Ohio. She was the ninth of ten children born to Etta Hope Trowbridge and Andrew Phillips. She was their only daughter. Two of her brothers, Arnold and Freddie died in infancy. Seven brothers grew to adulthood: Willie, John, Ghillie (Known as Jack), Clyde, Chauncey,Erie and Cecil.

    Her ancestors were mainly of English and Welsh origin, and were among the early settlers in America. She was a direct descendant of Thomas Trowbridge of Taunton,England who came to America in 1636, the first Trowbridge in America. He came first to Boston, later settled in New Haven, Connecticut where his children were students of Ezekiel Cheever, the famous colonial schoolmaster. Her great-great-grandfather, Levie Trowbridge, was patriot of the Rvoluntionary War. 

1910, when she was six years old, her mother died after a long illness. She mourned this loss all her life. Her father then became the dominant influence in her life, and remained so until his death in 1937. She learned to cook, bake and can before she was ten years old. She attended school until the fifth grade when it became necessary to devote all her time and effort to keeping her father's household. In 1964 she wrote a chronicle of her childhood years, detailing those early childhood household duties. She also related some of the joys and sorrows of those difficult years. She felt close to her Trowbridge and Phillips cousins, and the daughters of her older brothers. She especially regarded her first niece, Tina Ethel and all her other nieces as the sisters she never had.

    Another period of her life began in 1921 when she was 17. With her cousin she went to Gallipolis to seek employment at the Ohio Hospital for Epilitics, now the Gallipolis Development Center. She remained here as a valued employee unti March 1927. At the O.H.E. she was befriended by people of many cultural backgrounds, both on the staff, and the patients in the cottages who were intrusted to her care. It was here that her great love for, and interest in people was nutured, and became the dominant theme of the remainder of her life. It was also here that she met in March of 1926 her life companion--Samuel Jackson Tandy-Walker, also a Gallia County native and a fellow O.H.E. employee. They were married that same year, on October 9, 1926. the early 1930's, Jack and Zelma sold their first farm and purchased an adjacent farm, naming it "Fair Oaks." These were difficult times, but the family was proud that they survived the depression years without accepting public welfare. During this decade, three more children were born: Marcella Ann in 1934, Mary Elizabeth in 1935, and their only son, Jackson Tandy Walker Jr. in 1937.

    Jack and Zelma worked together as a team on the farm. In addition to household duties, she worked in the garden, field and barn. But, she took particular pride in canning fruits and vegetables, making pickles, relishes, apple butter and preserves. In the small amount of time she had for relaxation, she found time to plant a bounty of flowers and pot house plants which she cared for and which were a continuing pleasure. One of the greatest joys of her life was sharing these plants with her family and friends.

    Jack and Zelma also took an active part in community life. Zelma became a member of her husband's church, Cora Methodist Church in 1940 when her daughters Orva and Etta joined. In her youth she had attended services at various churches in the Bladen area. She also joined Cora Grange and Pomona Grange, and was a lifelong member of the Cora Church Women's Society. She participated in their ice cream socials, quilting parties, and other fund-raising activities. At their home, they invited the community to attend husking bees and cane stripping at harvest time, the egg roasts at Eastertime.

harvest time, the egg roasts at Eastertime.

    Zelma encouraged all her children to take full advantage of their educational opportunities, and was proud of their achievements. She made many sacrifices, depriving herself of personal pleasures so that her children might have more. The 1940's for the Walker family saw better times. In 1945, their first daughter graduated from Rio Grande High School with highest honnors. That fall, the specil joys of parenthood returned when their last child, and fifth daughter, Karen Linn was born. The loss of their only son was the most tragic event of their life. On January 13, 1955, Jackson Tandy Walker Jr. was drowned after his car overturned in Raccoon Creek. He was 17 and a senior at Rio Grande High School.

    In 1967 they sold Fair Oaks Farm following Jack's retirement from the Ohio State Highway Department. In 1969 they purchased their last home--in the village of Centreville, an early Welsh settlement now known as Thurman Post Office. Zelma and Jack became members of Thurman Methodist Church, and she became a member of Morning Star Lodge #444, Order of the Eastern Star. Zelma kept busy with her gardening and made quilts and rugs. Her way with blooming plants made the flower-laden front proch the glory of the village.

Then, on the day after New Year's in 1972, death claimed her beloved husband at the age of 81. Her health then began a decline, but she retained a keen interest in all the activities she had always enjoyed. In May, 1980 she made the decision to sell her house, and it was sold that month. She held an auction of her remaining household goods. on June 14. The next day her daughters moved her to the Davis Rest Home in Oak Hill in adjoining Jackson County. Here, she anticipated making new friends and receiving visits from old ones.

    It was not to be. A visit from her daughters on Monday evening found her visiting with other residents in the solarium. When they left she was in good spirits and bade a smiling goodbye. The next morning she rose very early, made her bed and laid herself down for a rest which is now for all time.

    Surviving her were her five daughters: Orva Heissenbuttel, Wash. D.C.;Etta Altizer, Rt. 2 Patriot; Marcella Harrison, Gallipolis; Mary Niday,Gallipolis, and Karen McElyea, Gaithersburg, Md. Also left to mourn her are nine grandchildren:Ricky and Gary Altizer; Iris and Lili Heissenbuttel; Mark and Marlene Harrison; Cynthia and Richard Niday, and Christine Beall; two great-grandchildren, Brian and Theresa Altizer, and her brother, Erie Phillips of Eureka, and a host of friends.

Zelma Phillips Walker was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Death, did not,as nothing did, take her by surprise. She was prepared to meet her creator, and to join her husband and son in eternal rest in Calvary Cemetery, Rio Grande. Her life and its legacy of Christian ideals and industry, fearlessness and friendliness, sharing and strength are an example we may all aspire to. ---Written by: Orva Walker Heissenbuttel

Gallia Times June 1980 Transcribed by Nancy McMillan