Mary Mason Wallace

A homegoing celebration for Mrs. Mary M. Wallace, age 78, of Centerville, Texas will be held at 2 P.M., Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Walters Funeral Home in Centerville. Rev. Winston Spencer, Jr. will officiate the service. Graveside services will be held at 2 P.M., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. A public visitation will take place on Friday, November 3rd from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Mary Mason Wallace was born on June 2, 1939, in Waverly, Virginia. She met James W. Wallace in Virginia in October 1958, when she was just nineteen. James, a U.S. Army officer, had recently returned from overseas. It was love at first sight and they were married on June 27, 1959.

James’ career in the Army with Mary took the couple many places, beginning at Ft. Riley, Kansas, next, Michigan, and then to Mannheim and Worms Germany. While in Germany, the pair visited and vacationed in various European countries. It was back to the USA at various bases and finally retirement at Fort Bliss, Texas. Their longest residence was three years spent in New Orleans while James was a commander of the Gulf Region. They eventually settled in Austin, Texas where they both sold real estate. James and Mary moved to Centerville permanently in 1992. James was not always at home, due to his service duties (including two tours in Vietnam); and Mary took it upon herself to run the household, care for the children and manage the daily tasks, including boxing up household items herself when it was time to move once again. Mary was definitely the heart of the family, continually offering unwavering support and encouragement to James and their children.

Mary and James were always a pair. They were hardly ever seen apart. She was a faithful and devoted wife. As an avid reader, crossword puzzle lover, and news media buff, she kept sharp by following current events. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting and traveling with her husband. She was a woman of strength and dignity whose faith in Jesus Christ was paramount to her. She served others through volunteer work and by showing love to all. She was a longtime member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Centerville. Mary passed away on October 29, 2017 in Temple, Texas. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and brothers, Joseph and John Mason.

Surviving family members include husband of fifty-eight years, Colonel James Wallace of Centerville; daughter, Vera Marie Wallace of Ft. Worth; son, Eric Weldon Wallace (Wendy) of Burbank, CA; brother, Robert Mason (Rebecca) of Richmond, VA and sister, Ruth Joseph of Jacksonville NC. Mary is also survived by granddaughter, Jenna Ann Wallace of Burbank, CA and a host of extended family and friends.

Pallbearers: Charles Ackley, Sr, John Ackley, Henry Scarbrough, Gary Bladen, Jr., Trey Scarbrough and Lawrence Johnson. Honorary pallbearers: Brandon Wallace, Justin Pickett, Eldon Johnson, Ethridge Brooks, Reginald Mason & Renaldo Wallace.

Walters Funeral Home in Centerville is entrusted with all arrangements.