Walker Still Trying to Get Back on Her Feet

Shirley Walker said she has always believed in giving back to the community.

Now it’s your chance to give back to her and all you to do is to have a plate of spaghetti…or two.

Walker, who watched a has been the local voice for Genesee County's Mothers Against Drunk Driving for more than 20 years serving as spokesperson and victim's advocate.

There will be an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner for her benefit from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall at

While Walker didn't suffer any harm in the incident, the emotional scars remain.

“It was awful,” Walker said. “I basically lost everything.”

Tickets are available for a minimum donation of $10. Children younger than 5 can eat for free. There will be music, karaoke, a silent auction and a raffle.

Walker said she had insurance on the house she lived in for more than 35 years up until a few years ago when it became too expensive for her.

“People just can’t afford it anymore,” she said. “Income didn’t go up, but insurance did. Something has to go. The world doesn’t stop and wait for you. Things keep happening and you have to deal with it.”

Walker said watching her longtime home go up in flames was surreal.

“I just wanted to put my hand out and stop it,” Walker said. “I went back in once and I said I’m not going back in.”

Walker said she found it somewhat surprising when she listed the things she lost in the fire, that there was nothing of real value, just sentimental.

“I had nothing when I walked out except my purse,” Walker said. “We recovered some of my clothes, that we had to wash and wash and wash.”

Walker said she has been overwhelmed by the support the community has shown her. She said neighbors offered her a dumpster to help the cleanup, a car and a place to stay.

“I was surprised with the outpour. I was surprised people had an idea of things I do (with the MADD organization). I really didn’t think people did,” said Walker, who has been staying with Kelly Narring in Clarkston. “I have heard people say so many nice things.”

Walker is no stranger to tragedy.

Her then 23-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 1989. Her husband died of cancer in 1993 at age 49.

"It's been absolutely devastating with everything she's been through," Narring said. "She has seen all this tragedy through the years and now she's lost so many memories that can't be replaced."

If you can’t make it to the dinner, there is also a Shirley Walker Fire Fund where donations can be made at shirleywalker.99k.org.

"The community support has been amazing. Not just friends and family, but people she doesn’t even know people that just heard the story and have been mailing cards. It's been heartwarming."