Mary Wallace

Mary "Mamaw" Wallace, a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from this life on September 20, 2021. Mary was 84 years young and spent her life loving others as she would want to be loved. She was a resident of Benton, Louisiana. Mary was born November 9^th, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana. A farmer's daughter, and the eldest of 9 children, she was raised in Gilliam, Louisiana. She had a great sense of the importance of family and care for others, and she loved God with all her heart. Mary trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a little girl, and that was evident in how she loved others. She met her beloved husband of 65 years, Richard "Dick" Wallace, at a treasure hunt, while he was serving at Barksdale Air Force Base. They married and spent many years living in Chicago, where they had 4 children, and then moved the family to Louisiana. As a young mother, she worked at Toy Fair in Shreveport, sold Sarah Coventry jewelry, and Tupperware, among many other endeavors. She enjoyed listening to gospel music, especially by Elvis. Mary never met a stranger. Everywhere she went, she saw someone she knew, and she never rushed a chance meeting. She loved to open her home to "entertain", as she called it. It was her joy to see people enjoying each other's company. In the early years, that meant fancy tablecloths, dinner, and dancing; but as the family grew, the fancy tables turned into outdoor get-togethers with games of horseshoes, card games, and tables overflowing with enough food to feed an army. There was always room for anyone who wanted to join in, and they all called her "Mamaw". Everyone claimed her for their own, because she just made you feel that special. She was a football fan, and loved to watch New Orleans Saints and LSU football, and she was the biggest fan of any high school team that had a player she knew on their roster. Mamaw's laugh could fill a room, her hugs were like no other, and anyone she knew could depend on her constant prayers. She would always say, "Count your blessings!" And that, she did! She will be dearly missed by so very many. Mary is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard "Dick" Wallace; daughter, Mary Theresa Roberts; parents, JD and Christine Nelson; sisters, Velda Gates, Linda Taylor, and Patsy Wheeler. She is survived by her sons, Rick Wallace and wife, Cheryl, Chris Wallace and wife, Whitney; daughter, Cindy Hawkins and husband, Mike; grandchildren, Brett Roberts and wife Kellee, Christopher Roberts and wife, Melissa, Mikey Roberts, Nicholas Roberts and wife Haleigh, Brandy Johnson and husband Shelton, Gary Bragg III and wife, Allison, Amanda Underdown and husband Chip, Clint Wallace and wife Madison, Brandon Wallace and husband Cole, Kyle Wallace and wife Melissa, Tyler Wallace and fiancé Michaela, Cameron Benton and wife, Kaytlin, Mason Southerland, Aiden Southerland, and Harleigh Southerland; great-grandchildren, Elliot Roberts, Zoe Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Silas Johnson, Addyson Johnson, Savannah Bragg, Jordyn Glenn, Lynsey Keenan, Jack Wallace, Caroline Wallace, Waylon Underdown, Artie Wallace, McKenzie Wallace and Tucker Ramsey; brother, Wayne Nelson and wife Geneva; sister, Dorothy Nelson; sister, Judy Ebarb and husband Wayne; sister, Sarah Sunde and husband, Ken; brother, Glen Nelson, and wife Patti. She was "Aunt Mary", "Auntie Mary", "Big Mary", and "Mamaw" to countless others. All whom she loved dearly. Honoring Mary as pallbearers will be Kyle Wallace, Tyler Wallace, Brandon Wallace, Brett Roberts, Chris Roberts, Mikey Roberts, and Nicky Roberts. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gary Bragg III and Clint Wallace. A celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Visitation from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, Louisiana. Interment to follow at 2:00 p.m., at the Rose-Neath Cemetery in Bossier City. The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the countless doctors who have cared for her over the years, and the doctors and nurses at Christus Schumpert, who were so kind and compassionate in these last days of our time with her. For the family and friends who can not be with us, we invite you to join ZOOM live stream on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. CST. Click on the link below. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81462925579?pwd=cHljV2J6cGJEWEtnMjUrZk1CRW9vUT09