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Subject: [BLACK-L] Samuel Walker, Sr (1918 Calhoun Falls, SC - 2001 Batavia, NY)
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 10:01:19 EST

Samuel Walker, Sr. was born in Calhoun Falls, Abbeville County, South
Carolina on June 26, 1918. He was the son of Frances Simpkins Walker,
Charlie Henry Walker, and John Thomas Black. In 1936 Samuel moved to Buffalo
with his nephew, James Glover. That same year he visited a school friend,
General Belcher, who was living on Cedar Street with family members. There,
Sammy met his future wife, the former Georgie Stokes.

Samuel began a 42-year career on the railroads in 1938. In 1942 he enlisted
in the U.S. Army and served at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was honorably
discharged in 1945. Samuel also worked part-time at Bethlehem Steel in the
1950s. Samuel and Georgie were married on July 8, 1943 in Buffalo, New York
while Samuel was on leave from the Army. They were blessed with three
children, Sandra Leah, Samuel Jr. (Doran), and Sonia Lynn.

In 1977 Samuel joined the Lutheran Church of Our Savior under the pastoral
care of Rev. Robert H. Wilson, Jr. He was active in the Men's Club and the
bowling league. After retiring in 1980 from Amtrak, Samuel became an avid
gardener and often played pinochle and bridge. In his later years, Samuel
also renamed himself to include Simpkins as his middle name.

Committed to the revitalization of the Cold Spring neighborhood, Samuel
served on the Board of the Buffalo Triad Housing Programs, Inc. and was a
member of the Masten Neighborhood Block Club. Throughout his illness, Sam
remained active. Sam and his dog, Spudster, would often be seen "walking
each other" in the afternoons. He and Georgie celebrated their 50th Wedding
Anniversary while camping with other patients during an annual trip sponsored
by the nurses of the VA Home-based Patient Care Program. One of his greatest
joys was spending time with his great-grandson, Davey.

Samuel was predeceased by his siblings: Minnie Simpkins Walker, Noble
Walker, Emma Walker Glover, Dellar Walker Bell, and Anna Walker Glover.

In addition to his devoted wife of 57 years, Georgie, and their children,
Samuel is survived by one sister, Bessie of Charlotte, North Carolina; four
grandchildren, Sharryn Walker Bennett (Robert) of Niagara Falls, Leah Johnson
Behrens (David) of Niagara Falls, Suzanne Walker of Davenport, Iowa, and
Thomas William Johnson, Jr. (Tiffany) of Buffalo; two cherished
great-grandchildren, Sydney Birmingham and David Paul Behrens, III; his
mother-in-law, Lucille Stokes; a dear friend, Thomas Johnson, Sr., and
numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After an eight-year battle with lymphoma, Samuel was welcomed home to
life-everlasting on March 24, 2001 from the Veterans Medical Center in
Batavia, New York. Samuel decided to donate his body to the Medical School
of the University at Buffalo in 1978. His remains will be placed in the
Rosewood Atrium Mausoleum of Forest Lawn Cemetery at a later date. A
memorial service will be held on April 6, 2001 at 4:00 PM at the Lutheran
Church of Our Savior, 26 Brunswick Blvd., Buffalo, NY. We celebrate his life
and rejoice in his assurance of life eternal through Christ's great sacrifice!

Sonia Walker

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