Alma Wallace
Alma Wallace, beloved, wife, mother and Nana, passed away on September 10, 2020, in Anderson, Ca, at the age of 94.
Alma was born on June 13, 1926 in Clinchco, Virginia to Courtney and Zilphia Rose. Alma was one of six children born into the Rose family. To say Alma came from humble beginnings would be an understatement. Being raised during the Great Depression and enduring a difficult childhood taught Alma many things, most importantly, the value of a home and a family. It was these two things that Alma would go on to dedicate her life to.
In 1945 while working as a waitress, Alma met a handsome young sailor named Conn. They were married on June 9, 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia. After Conn’s honorable discharge from the Navy, they moved to Monroe, Louisiana, where they resided until 1947. In June of 1947, Alma and Conn moved to the place they would forever call home, Westwood, Ca. From a young age, Alma knew she wanted a big family and it wasn’t long before she and Conn welcomed 7 children, 3 boys and 4 girls.
Their children along with their 21 grandchildren and over 30 great grandchildren were the light of Alma’s life. In addition to caring for children, Alma enjoyed cooking, baking, embroidering and celebrating the Holidays. Alma never met a thrift store, yard sale or slot machine that she didn’t like, but her real winnings and treasures came from spending time with her family.
She found great joy in decorating her home for Christmas and her yard for Halloween, beaming with pride when her yard decorations made the local newspaper. Alma’s selflessness knew no bounds. If you mentioned you liked something in her home, chances were you’d be leaving with it. And, if you came to her home it didn’t matter who you were, you could count on three things : a full stomach, sweltering temperatures and hot coffee. Except if you were the intoxicated neighbor who got into a tussle with Conn in their front yard, he got a frying pan upside the head.
Even as Alma approached her mid nineties, she never viewed herself as old. She had numerous roommates at the long term care facility where she resided. She would call family to tell them about her new roommate, shocked, she would whisper, “she must be about 90 years old!!.” Alma’s sense of humor, generous nature and kind heart will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her 5 siblings, her husband of 68 years, Conn, grandson, Michael Wallace, and daughter, Tammy Franke. She is survived by her sons Bruce (Diane) Wallace, Rick (Judy) Wallace, Benny (Karen) Wallace, daughters Trish (Vic) Rigling, Connie (Larry- deceased) Haskill, Shirley (Mike) Mesa, son in law Eric Franke, and many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date.
