WALLACE ~ Sarah Louise Gary Wallace was born January 29, 1941, in Cordele, Georgia. She was born to the late Dorothy Louise Adkins Gary and Thomas Gary.
Sarah was the vice-president of her graduating class at the Carver High School for Negros. She later attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. While in college, she was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to participate in lunch counter sit-ins as a means of peaceful protest during the Civil Rights movement.
Sarah later moved to New York where she began working for Blue Cross & Blue Shield. She married Herman Wallace August 19, 1979, in Bronx, New York. In 1982, she gave birth to a daughter, Monique; and her stepdaughter, Donella came to live with them a short while after. In 1985, they relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where they joined Bethel Baptist Institutional Church. In 1987, they adopted a son, Jamal.
In 1993 she was ordained Deaconess at Bethel. Sarah retired from Blue Cross after thirty years of employment in 1999. However, she went back and continued to work another five years before retiring again. After retiring, Sarah remained a very active member of the Bethel family, volunteering with the B.E.S.T. Academy, within the Culinary Ministry, the Keenagers and various other ministries.
She loved to travel and was always planning her next cruise. She also loved gospel music, her friends, and her family. Sarah is survived by her devoted husband, Herman; daughter, Monique; stepdaughter, Donella; son, Jamal; grandchildren, Journee Harris, Kevin, Elijah & MacKenzie; brother, Thomas, whom she affectionately called “Sport”; nephew, Alex; daughter-in-law, Danielle; a whole host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.
May she find eternal comfort with her mama and her niece Maya-Gabrielle, who she joins in Heaven.
Celebration of Life Service for Deacon Sarah Gary Wallace, will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr, Lead Pastor, Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Sr., Pastor Emeritus. Family will receive friends Tuesday at The Soutel Chapel from 5 – 7 PM. Because of the love of her family arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Drive, 904.924.9400.
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