The Life of James Walker: A Deeper Look into Life in Radford and a Significant Conversion Experience

Creator: Flavin, Taylor

: Walker, James

: Walker, Gaylord May

: Cox, Ricky

In this project, Taylor Flavin interviewed James, and Gaylord May Walker in their home in Radford, Virginia. During the interview, The Walkers covered such topics as religion, family, the history of Radford, music and prayer. James Walker had worked in a grocery store, been in the military and was a preacher for many years. Gaylord Walker had previously worked in the Burlington Textile Mill. This interview is among projects created by students enrolled in English 446 (initially English 452), “Appalachian Folklore,” 1981-2019, and in graduate level counterparts English 548 and 648 “Appalachian Folk Culture(s)” offered 17 fall semesters between 1987 and 2009. Minimally contain collector’s introduction and analysis, transcribed informant interviews, and excerpted and labeled examples of oral, customary, and/or material folklore/folklife collected primarily within the Appalachian region. Most include also tables of contents, informant information, indexes (outlines) of interviews, photographs, miscellaneous paper items, and indexes of informants, genres, and geographic locations. Accompanying audio recordings (several minutes to 2+ hours). Transferred to McConnell Library Archives & Special Collections from Appalachian Regional and Rural Studies Center, Fall 2013.