Dr. Rev. Jefferson C. "JC" Wallace

REV. DR.
JEFFERSON C. "JC"
WALLACE, 90

LAKELAND - The Reverend Dr. Jefferson C. Wallace ("JC" to those who knew him from the early days), age 90 years, of Azalea Park, Lakeland, Florida, passed into the presence of our Lord on March 11, 2009, in Lakeland after a short battle with cancer, to which he surrendered in order to move to a better place.
Dr. Wallace was born in Leon, Kentucky, on March 3, 1919, to Sam and Rose Wallace. He graduated from Hitchens High School, where he played basketball and learned to love books and Jesus. He attended Marshall University and the John Marshall School of Theology, at that time of Chicago. After his loving marriage to Marie ended with her death in 1986, he married Pauline Doll, retired missionary and an angel to the Wallace family, in 1988. Dr. Wallace pastored Wesleyan and Nazarene churches in North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida, and served as Associate Pastor of the Nazarene Church in Plant City in his later years. His special joy was the years he spent as an itinerate evangelist, crisscrossing the United States and preaching the gospel. A noteworthy honor, of he was justly proud as a native Kentuckian, was being designated a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky. Wherever he ministered, he was loved by both young and old, as he pursued his passion for teaching and preaching; instilling the truth of the scriptures, the lordship of Jesus Christ, and the practical virtues of honesty, integrity, and hard work. He easily assumed the unofficial Chaplain's role at Azalea Park senior living facility, the home of his extended family for the last five years in Lakeland, giving Sunday devotions and even performing marriages.
Dr. Wallace is survived by his wife of 21 years, his dear Pauline, without whom his life most assuredly would have been shorter and (due to a lack of hair raising missionary-in-the-jungle-stories) less colorful in his last years; his son, Paul and wife Marilyn of Miami; granddaughter Kristin of Miami; grandson Dr. Paul Jr. and wife Laura, and great granddaughter Mackenzie Ann Wallace, of Safety Harbor. He is the next to last living of six children (more or less) of Sam and Rose Wallace, survived only by his brother, Uncle Paul, of Grayson, Kentucky.
For family and friends, life will not be the same without our guiding light: JC, or Jeff, however you knew him. Joyfully, we look forward to the day we shall all meet again with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise be to God. Funeral services are to be held at Plant City Community Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, March 14th at 1:00 P.M. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the church. Wells Memorial Funeral Home Lacey McClellan & Staff. 813-752-1111.