Morristown-Hamblen County Library

Thomas Senter Walker

Thomas Senter Walker was Born 24 May 1840 and departed this life 30 June 1909. His education was much as the common schools of those early days afforded. But his school education was supplemented by habits of reading and study and independent thinking which he kept up all through his life. He was a man of sound judgment and of convictions and courage. He was converted early in his life and began to preach when only 18 years of age. He began his career as an itinerant preacher in the Holston conference of the M.E. Church , South, in 1861, but his ministerial work was soon interrupted on the account of the Civil War.

When the Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church was reorganized at Athens ,Tenn., in June 1865, T.S. Walker's named appeared in the list of appointments, he being assigned to the Maynardsville circuit. He was appointed to the Greeneville circuit in 1866: to the Jonesboro circuit 1867-69; Fall Branch 1870-71; Kingsport 1872; Maryville circuit 1873-75; Campbell's Station 1876; Little River 1877-78. He served as presiding elder of Powell's Valley district 1879-1882. For the years 1883 and 1884 he was appointed to the New Market circuit. His appointment for 1885-86 was Oakland; 1887 Fuller's; 1888-91 Chuckey; 1892-94 Greeneville circuit; 1895-96 Morristown circuit; 1897-99 Oakland; 1900-1901 Whitehorn; 1902 Parrottsville; 1903 Dandridge; 1904 Surgoinsville; In 1905 he was at his own request placed on the list of conference veterans, but even after that served with acceptability as supply on the Holston circuit and it was through his wise management that our society was organized and the church property secured at Jefferson City.

Brother Walker was a preacher of more than average ability. He was a dignified and agreeable Christian gentleman, a warm hearted and faithful friend and a careful guardian of the church' interests. He was twice married , first to Miss Mary J. Carter, 22 Mar 1865. Six children were born to them, namely Charles Fisk, Eugenia, Thomas S., Maude and Adella, all except the two oldest still living. After 18 years of happy wedded life Brother Walker was bereaved by the death of his companion. On the 16 Jul 1884 Mr. Walker was married to Mrs. Augusta Dooley McFee, who was at the time the mother to children Merti and Dell McFee. After this happy marriage four children were added to the family, Clara , Frank, William and Eunice. Besides his two married daughters, Mrs. Eugenia Hall, Brookfield, MO. And Mrs. Maude Moore, Bulls Gap, Tenn. and one married son Thomas S. Walker Jr. residing at Greeneville, Tenn. In addition to the above and residing at home with mother in Morristown , Tenn. Are : Adella M., Clara, Eunice, Frank and William.

Funeral service in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Morristown conducted by the writer was largely attended. Truly a good man and a faithful minister of the Gospel has ceased from the labor and has entered into the rest that remaineth to the people of God.

Also in Holston Annual Conference 1909, Methodist Episcopal Church:

T.S. Walker died in his home in Morristown, Tenn. last night . Rev. T. S. Walker for many years a M.E. Church member in the Holston M.E. Conference. The deceased had been in retirement for a number of years, and for the last few months had been in a very acute condition suffering for from a complication of diseases. His death was due to an affection of the heart. His widow and all of his children ,except one, were present at his death bed. The funeral service will be held at the home Friday afternoon. Mr. Walker ,was a native of Hawkins county and for many years lived at the old family homestead near White Horn, He has held numerous appointments in the Holston conference and people all over East Tennessee will mourn his loss. He was the brother-in-law of T.S. And C.L. Dooley and of Mrs. Ella D. Hitch of this city and was a frequent visitor in Knoxville. His wife and eight children survive him. The children are : T.S. Walker Jr., a well- known lawyer of upper East Tennessee; Mrs. Earl Hill of Brookfield Mo.; Mrs. Elbert Moore of Hawkins county; Misses Martin, Clara and Eunice Walker and Frank and William Walker of Morristown..