Gladys Yvonne Wallace

Mrs. Gladys Yvonne Patrick Wallace transitioned into the arms of God after a long and beautiful life of 99 years and 3 months. Mrs. Wallace, a Seven Day Adventist, credited her long life to perpetual prayer that included sharing her thoughts with God, sending up praises for God’s mighty works in her life, and listening to God’s voice, with reflection for direction on the responsive message of God and God’s Holy Word.  Other factors contributing to her longevity included: a healthy active vegetarian lifestyle, a positive outlook on life, sharing and uplifting others with her positivity, and regular creative expressions through her gifts of poetry, sculpturing, and drawing.  Robust friendships were additional factors that contributed to her long, joyful, peaceful and fulfilling life where Mrs. Wallace judged that she was in full alignment with God’s plan for her life.  Mrs. Wallace will always be remembered for the kind words and uplifting messages that she shared with family, friends, and strangers/everyone who was graced to cross her path.  Mrs. Wallace’s sweet smile, her strength, her gregarious and perpetual sense of humor, her servant-leadership style, and her effervescent personality and interactions with others will always be remembered and her spirit and influence will live on in the hearts of all who have interacted with her during the precious time of her journey on this Earth.

Mrs. Wallace was born in Washington, D.C. and attended the infamous Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School after which time she attended Howard University.  At Howard University, Mrs. Wallace majored in what at the time was called Nursery School Education.  Mrs. Wallace was married to Dr. John Howard Wallace, Jr. a Microbiologist who served on the research team of Dr. Albert Sabin, discoverer of the oral polio vaccine who became a close family friend.  Mrs. Wallace was a regular hostess to many professional scientific visitors, and international medical and graduate students.  Mrs. Wallace was also mother to two children, John Howard Wallace, Jr. (a Drug Addiction Counselor), and Dr. Gloriajean Wallace (a Professor and Medical Speech-Language Pathologist).  Daughter Gloriajean credits her decision to become a Medical Speech-Language Pathologist to her mother and father’s exposure to the arts (where she had an opportunity to watch the character Helen Kellar come alive while attending a theatrical play) and to her exposure to children with communication impairments through her mother, Mrs. Wallace’s role as Nursery School Teacher for HeadStart.

Mrs. Wallace, whose pen name is “Poema” authored two beautiful poetry books, has served as a longstanding volunteer poetry reader at nursing homes in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area, and has award winning sculpting work (African motifs and other lovely work).  She also served as a consultant at Peabody Teacher’s College in Nashville, Tennessee where she wrote instructional manuals for teachers in training.  Mrs. Wallace was also an exquisite cook and was often referred to as “Harriet” (as in the sit com “Ozzie and Harriet”) because of the meticulous, and joy-filled way that she ran her household.  In addition to many other activities, it is noteworthy to mention that Mrs. Wallace served as longstanding Chairperson of the Hostess Committee at a Seventh Day Adventist Church during the time she resided in Louisville, Ky, and (during the time she lived in New Orleans) learned to make the best New Orleans cuisine ever, including gumbo.  Mrs. Wallace was also known as the best baker ever, especially her delicious donuts, lemon meringue pie, and strawberry pound cake/short cake.

Mrs. Wallace was gregarious, joyful, and full of life until the end.  She will always be remembered as “Best Friend” to survivor daughter Dr. Gloriajean Wallace, granddaughter Dr. Christina Joy Hunter and grandson Christopher Errol Kahn who enjoyed rich, memorable, and gregarious times with Mrs. Wallace up to the time of her peaceful passing.  Mrs. Wallace is also survived by a son John H. Wallace 3rd, John’s children Ayanna and Andre Wallace, and Andre’s children Duke and Skye Wallace, daughters-in-law JongKon Wallace and Jose Wallace, and a host of friends and acquaintances who love her dearly (including Dr. Sheila Bridges Bond, friends at Pisgah Manor Assisted Living (where Mrs. Wallace was “Bingo Champion”!), and her  loving toy poodle Fabio.

Mrs. Gladys Yvonne Patrick Wallace will be missed by those of us remaining on this earthly plane, but we know with assurance that Mrs. Wallace has moved on to heaven’s realm where she was warmly greeted by her Mama Susie, her dad and a host of brothers and sisters (including brother John Carr, brother Elvin Patrick, brother Larry Patrick, sister Theodosia, and other family members including precious niece Pat), and a host of friends (Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Gentry, Mrs. Edna and many others).  Family and friends are certain that Mrs. Gladys Wallace has earned her angel wings and now rests in the bosom of God – safe, peaceful, joyful and full of heaven’s bliss. For this and for being graced to have her in our lives, we will all be forever grateful.  Thank you, God for this precious spirit, now Angel Gladys Yvonne Patrick Wallace.

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