JoAnn (Roy) Wallace, age 84, departed this life on January 5, 2016, at her residence in Yosemite, KY.
Born September 23, 1931, in Casey Co., KY, JoAnn was the eldest daughter of the late Oscar Burgin Roy and Elizabeth Jane (Cain) Roy. The Roy family relocated to Muncie, Indiana, when Ms. Wallace was a teen. She later attended nearby Taylor University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1951.
That same year, JoAnn married Army Maj. Leonard Wallace Sr. Upon completion of his final tour of duty in Stuttgart, Germany, they settled in Elizabethtown, KY, and remained there for several decades while raising three children. During that time, she was actively involved in Severns Valley Baptist Church and the area Junior Women’s Club, establishing dear friendships that she enjoyed until her death.
In the 1970’s, JoAnn began traveling, establishing roots in many locations throughout the country before returning to Casey County to live out her final years. Ms. Wallace relished her rich Kentucky heritage, finding endless joy at being back “among her people” where she cherished close ties with family and friends. Most recently, JoAnn was a member of the Green River Christian Church, but was active in many church homes of many denominations throughout her life.
Professionally, Ms. Wallace’s early years were spent in entrepreneurial endeavors, including operating the Woodland Day Nursery in Elizabethtown for over a decade. In later years, she established JoAnn’s Consignment Shop in Virginia, and in the 80’s, was employed assisting Cuban refugees at Fort Chaffee.
Faith was the cornerstone of JoAnn’s life, dedicating herself to spreading the word of God’s love by service to others. From volunteer work at the Galilean Children's Home to mission work abroad serving refugees from Guatemala to Guantanamo Bay, Ms. Wallace used her skills and compassion to help those in need whenever the opportunity arose.
As all who knew her would attest, JoAnn lived her life in a perpetual state of gratitude for each and every new day, and each and every blessing in her life, steadfast in the belief that all was unfolding according to God’s Plan. Her wish today would be that we celebrate the glorious homegoing she so eagerly anticipated throughout her life.
Those she leaves behind include her children; Stephen Wallace of Florida, Debra Wallace Kendall of Arizona, and Leonard Wallace Jr. of Maryland; sister, Nitaleen (Logan) Sprunger of Kansas; seven grandchildren, Jamey, James, Farren, Leigh, Kelley, Anna, and Leonard Wallace III; and one great-granddaughter, Elliot; along with countless friends and relations.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM EST on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the Jennie’s Chapel United Methodist Church, with Bros. Shannon Cain and Leslie Bentley officiating. Visitation will be held at the church immediately prior (noon until 2 PM) with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with online guestbook available at www.mckinneybrown.com.
Born September 23, 1931, in Casey Co., KY, JoAnn was the eldest daughter of the late Oscar Burgin Roy and Elizabeth Jane (Cain) Roy. The Roy family relocated to Muncie, Indiana, when Ms. Wallace was a teen. She later attended nearby Taylor University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1951.
That same year, JoAnn married Army Maj. Leonard Wallace Sr. Upon completion of his final tour of duty in Stuttgart, Germany, they settled in Elizabethtown, KY, and remained there for several decades while raising three children. During that time, she was actively involved in Severns Valley Baptist Church and the area Junior Women’s Club, establishing dear friendships that she enjoyed until her death.
In the 1970’s, JoAnn began traveling, establishing roots in many locations throughout the country before returning to Casey County to live out her final years. Ms. Wallace relished her rich Kentucky heritage, finding endless joy at being back “among her people” where she cherished close ties with family and friends. Most recently, JoAnn was a member of the Green River Christian Church, but was active in many church homes of many denominations throughout her life.
Professionally, Ms. Wallace’s early years were spent in entrepreneurial endeavors, including operating the Woodland Day Nursery in Elizabethtown for over a decade. In later years, she established JoAnn’s Consignment Shop in Virginia, and in the 80’s, was employed assisting Cuban refugees at Fort Chaffee.
Faith was the cornerstone of JoAnn’s life, dedicating herself to spreading the word of God’s love by service to others. From volunteer work at the Galilean Children's Home to mission work abroad serving refugees from Guatemala to Guantanamo Bay, Ms. Wallace used her skills and compassion to help those in need whenever the opportunity arose.
As all who knew her would attest, JoAnn lived her life in a perpetual state of gratitude for each and every new day, and each and every blessing in her life, steadfast in the belief that all was unfolding according to God’s Plan. Her wish today would be that we celebrate the glorious homegoing she so eagerly anticipated throughout her life.
Those she leaves behind include her children; Stephen Wallace of Florida, Debra Wallace Kendall of Arizona, and Leonard Wallace Jr. of Maryland; sister, Nitaleen (Logan) Sprunger of Kansas; seven grandchildren, Jamey, James, Farren, Leigh, Kelley, Anna, and Leonard Wallace III; and one great-granddaughter, Elliot; along with countless friends and relations.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM EST on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the Jennie’s Chapel United Methodist Church, with Bros. Shannon Cain and Leslie Bentley officiating. Visitation will be held at the church immediately prior (noon until 2 PM) with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with online guestbook available at www.mckinneybrown.com.
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