Anderson "Monk" Walls

Maxine Gross, Diane Weems Ligon and Violetta Sharps Jones introduced Lakeland and its history to the Social and Ethnic Issues in Historic Preservation class on February 9, 2011. Recorded on the UMD campus.

A portrait of Anderson Walls - original photograph was torn down the middle with tape holding it together. Restored by MITH in 2019 (originals retained).

Bernice was an Usher at the Embry Church. Anderson died in 1993. Bernice was a lifetime church goer, but not Anderson. Anderson was a count and a Mason - 'Mason of the counts.' Bernice was the Countess.

In the 1940s and 1950s much of the organized entertainment in Lakeland was provided by social clubs. These clubs met monthly at the homes of the members. Dinners were part of the gathering and provided the host an opportunity to showcase both their cooking ability and their tableware. The Duchesses and the Counts social clubs sponsored an annual formal dance at Lakeland Hall and sometimes posed for professional photographs. The Counts appear here in formal tails and white gloves. The gentlemen are, left to right (left row) Gasson Bradford Sr., James Weems, Anderson Walls, George Walls, Charles Carroll, and Harry Braxton Sr.; (right row) Mack Allen, John Webster, William Sharps, Aubrey Corprew, Chesley Mack, and Ashby Tolson.

Mrs. Walls is in her uniform as an usher at Embry AME Church

In their kitchen on Navahoe Street

2nd from left is Bernice Leincaster Walls. On the far right is daughter Catherine Walls Callahan, then to left are Catherine and June Lawson. Bernice married to Anderson, family came in 1902 (mother's side). Not sure when Bernice's parents came to Lakeland. There are pictures of them in the 1920s with Will and Katy Leincaster.