changed for Gynemia Walker’s little hometown
substantial part of her life. Her children, grandchildren,
and great-grandchildren have grown up in the
halls of her business, regardless of its location.
Walker started her business out of her home on the
her third child entered grade school. It was a way
of testing her talents and honing her skills while still
allowing her time to raise her children. Her
late Gary Peterman, former funeral director of
Hathaway-Peterman’s Funeral Home in Wheatland,
color design and organization. Walker enrolled in a
seven-week workshop at Drury University, where
Walker returned home and began getting set up for
her new career. “The encouragement and support I
received from my family and friends throughout the
years has truly been what has made my business a
home, and they moved to a small house on
storefront where customers and clients could
come visit without fear of interrupting family time.
Walker worked out of this little house for about 10
the business. She moved the business to 300 North
and revamped the two store fronts into an 1800
Her friend, Portia Surprise added an assortment of
Angel Collectibles, and later Debbie Autry used the
back of the building for a beauty shop. An event
room was added to have parties and gatherings, as
well as hosting several weddings.
With the enlargement of the McCarty Senior Center,
the event room soon was no longer a necessity for
the community. Upon persuasion by several crafters
in the community, Walker was convinced to allow
half the building to be used for consignment sales
for local vendors. It worked for a while, and Walker
consignments sales
11 years before eventually moving into her current
location at the corner of Highway 54 and Highway B
Casey’s, in 2013.
Though she has been providing an assortment of
gift and party options for years, her mission has
always remained the same: to provide personable
whenever possible, always get her materials locally.
“We are very community minded and we love giving
back whenever we can,” she stated.
Upon entering into the business, customers are
greeted with the sweet welcoming scent of fresh cut
gift items for any occasion. Among the collectables
they carry are popular brands like “Prayers and
Promises,” “Matter of Heart,” “Roman Inc,” and
“Demdaco.” They have sections for everything from
gifts to welcome new babies, to memorial stones for
those who have passed. They even feature a year
round holiday section.
“We go out of our way to make you happy, and
you’ll get a very personable service by coming to
Gynemia’s. I would like for people to come in and
give us a chance to meet their needs.”
weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and baby
showers. She works closely with local funeral
homes, including Hathaway-Peterman, Hodges in
Macks Creek, Sheldon’s Cantlon in Urbana, as well
as in Osceola, to create gorgeous arrangements
honoring the lives of those who have passed.
last thing you can do for the person who has left
us, and I’m honored to be a part of the process,”
Walker stated.
30 mile radius of Wheatland, as far as Pittsburg
and including parts of Polk County and St. Clair
County. She works hand-in-hand with wire services
like Florist’s Transworld Delivery and Flower Shop
Network.
Gynemia’s Flowers and Gifts is open Monday-
noon. Hours may vary, though, as the shop is
closed while they are out making deliveries.
Please swing by and visit, or call 417-282-6880.
Portions of this article reprinted from The Index
Wheatland School, 1885
(Photo from freepages.rootsweb.com)
/freepages.rootsweb.com