Catherine S. Wallace

Catherine Swayze Wallace, affectionately called "Swayze" by many of her friends, died Monday morning, April 19, 2010, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. Member of a longtime Jackson family, she was the daughter of Orrin Hayes Swayze, originally from Benton, and Catherine Power Swayze.
Services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church with burial following at Lakewood Memorial Park with Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM today at First Presbyterian Church and one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Mrs. Wallace was born on March 7, 1931, in Jackson. She grew up in the Belhaven area where she attended Power Elementary School, Bailey Junior High, and graduated from Central High School. She attended MSCW (now MUW) in Columbus for two years, where she was a member of Lockhart Social Club, and then attended Millsaps College where she graduated with a B.S. degree in elementary education. While at Millsaps she was a member of Chi Omega.
Her career in education included teaching positions at Green Elementary and St. Andrews Day School, and concluded after twenty five years at Jackson Academy where she was named dean of the elementary school in 1982. She retired in 1991.
Mrs. Wallace was an avid sports fan and strongly supported the Mississippi State Bulldogs. During her teaching career she earned an M.Ed. from Mississippi State. She was a member of the Junior League of Jackson.
Mrs. Wallace was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Earl Wallace in 1989.
She is survived by her daughter, Christie Ross (Danny) and her son Danny. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Amanda Ross Raspberry (Chandler), of Memphis, TN, Steven Ross, and Ashley Ross of Jackson; a sister, Marion Swayze; and a brother, Orrin H. Swayze, Jr., (Jo Lynn); a great aunt; a niece; and three nephews.
She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she taught children's Sunday School from many years. She was awarded an honorary Lifetime Membership by the Women of the Church of First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the French Camp Academy, Mississippi Animal Rescue League, Hospice Ministries, or a charity of choice. The family would like to express special appreciation to the staff of Hospice Ministries for their loving care during her final weeks.