“Walter Wallace was born in 1896, eldest of four brothers,
three of
whom
survived into adulthood. After serving in France as an army
engineer during WWI, Walter returned to the land his family had farmed
since the 1600's and married Amelia Mellichamp, a "city girl" raised in
Atlanta (but whose mother grew up on a neighboring farm).
“The 'cottage' -- after the family
home burned to the ground in 1922, trees were cut and milled on the
farm and a small home was built in six weeks to house the
family.
When the main house was rebuilt, Walter and Amelia stayed behind in the
cottage where they raised their two daughters and lived out their lives.
“Walter worked the land, delivered the
mail, and helped his neighbors develop and maintain cooperative rural
utilities. A Citadel graduate, he donated the land under his
small home to bring higher education to the Pee Dee. The family farm is
now the campus of Francis Marion University.
“The handshake -- the bond between
gentlemen. During the great depression, a starving man of
honor
would share his last meal if he met someone even hungrier than himself.
It was better to starve than to hoard or steal and lose ones soul.
“Amelia helped make ends meet as
secretary to the postmaster and court reporter while also working in
medical offices and as a freelance stenographer.
“The DAR medallion and hymnal page --
Amelia managed to find time to raise money for disabled veterans, the
Red Cross, the American Legion, and work with any number of local and
national organizations devoted to preservation of patriotism, faith,
heritage and family values.
“Closeup of daughter Louise's face in
left half of collage -- the new matriarch, newly widowed, taken shortly
after Amelia's passing at the age of 94.
“Walter was the heart of the family.
“Amelia was the family's soul.”
NOTE: IN 'PEE DEE EULOGIES,' THE NUMBERED MAH
JONG TILE
FOUND IN EACH PRINT WILL DENOTE THE WORK'S PLACE IN THE SERIES.
