Nancy U. Wallace, 96, a former resident of 11 Cherry St. in Elkins for 55 years, died Sunday April 21, 2002.
Mrs. Wallace was born in Berkeley Springs, Dec. 4, 1905, the daughter of Chaffie Ziler Unger and Algernon Ridgeway Unger.
She attended elementary school in Berkely Springs and was graduated from Elkins High School in 1923. She attended Shepherd College, Fairmont State College and West Virginia University, obtaining a teaching certificate. Thereafter, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Norton for several years until her marriage in 1929 to John J. Wallace Jr. of Elkins.
Two sons were born to her marriage: John J. Wallace III of Richmond, Va. and Joseph A. Wallace of Elkins.
Her husband, John J. Wallace Jr., predeceased her in 1941.
Mrs. Wallace raised her sons from childhood unassisted and for some years on 37.50 a month. She was a member of St. Brendan Church, the Women’s Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was highly regarded and had many lifelong friends, almost all of whom predeceased her, including her two sisters, Portia S. Reed of Gettysburg, Pa., and Pauline S. Rockwell of Berkely Springs.
Mrs. Wallace was of high character of whom no one spoke ill. She was courageous, honest, loving and generous and never was unkind to anyone in word or deed. She was devoted to her sons, their wives, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She did not hesitate to defend them against tyranny from authority in a time when a women’s voice was discounted. Mrs. Wallace overcame adversity with grace.
At age 55, she returned to college and obtained a bachelor of arts degree in education from Davis & Elkins at age 57 and taught for a decade at Elkins Junior High School. Mrs. Wallace particularly relished West Virginia History having at least one student each year who became a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe and for some years taught all of the Randolph County students who were so knighted.
In addition to her sons, she is survived by Joyce E. Wallace of Richmond, Va.; nine grandchildren, J. Michael Wallace and Joyce F. Wallace of Columbus, Ohio; Nancy W. and E. Bradford Tazewell III of Richmond, Va.; Stewart U. and Gabrielle Wallace of New York, N.Y.; Chaffee U. Wallace of Lovingston, Va.; Liberty J. Wallace of Elkins; and John J. Wallace IV of Morgantown; and eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Wallace was an outstanding daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend. Her loyalty was permanent, her character unwavering, her love enduring. God bless her.
Private graveside services were held on Friday at St. Brendan Cemetery. The Rev. Father William Anderson was the presider and interment followed.
