Raymond F. Wallace

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

On Friday, September 5, 2025, Raymond F. Wallace happily took the hands of the Lord's angel and his beloved wife, Susie K. Wallace, to guide him home to his Heavenly resting place. As they guided him home, he did not hesitate to leave this earthly world behind him. Although he loved his family, he was ready and willing to go when the Lord called on him to come.

Raymond was born to the late William Dodge Wallace Sr. and Bessie Jones Wallace on April 11, 1932, in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was one of ten children.

Raymond graduated from the Williamsburg-James City School System. After school, Raymond went straight to work. He retired from The College of William & Mary after 40 years of dedicated service as a supervisor. He only missed 5 days of work in all his 40-year tenure at the college. He also worked for the Williamsburg, James City School system for more than 20 years, and on the weekends, he had a lawn cutting business. Hard work did not bother Raymond because his goal, which he achieved, was to make sure his family had everything they needed plus more.

On June 22, 1961, Raymond was united in marriage to Susie Katherine Johnson. This union was blessed with five children: Howard, Sharon, Kenneth, Juanita, and John. Raymond was a devoted husband for sixty-two years before the Lord's angel guided his beloved wife home on May 15, 2024. He was a devoted father to his children and grandchildren. He always had words of wisdom to share with them. After his beloved wife passed, his only concerns were those of his children, grandchildren, and his siblings. He was always worried and asking how they were. His love for his nieces, nephews, and friends went without saying. His quiet demeanor did not diminish how much he cared for his family and friends. Although he stayed to himself, he always welcomed visits from family and friends.

Raymond, also known affectionately as "Daddy Raymond", won over many people with his funny jokes, words of wisdom, and his infectious laughter when he had something funny to say. To see his humorous side would shock many to know he was not always serious.

Raymond dedicated his life to the Lord at an early age, where he attended Union Baptist Church. After moving to York Street, Raymond moved his membership to New Quarter Baptist Church. Although Raymond did not attend church regularly, his love for Christ never diminished. He rededicated his life to the Lord and faithfully served Him in his heart. He chose to serve the Lord by reading The Word, praying, listening to Christian music, and serving the Lord by assisting with community outreach alongside his wife, and by living his life according to God's Word. He was an avid student of Biblical studies, spending his break times reading about the history of the Bible at the college library.

Raymond spent every waking moment outdoors, so much so that his wife had to make him come in from the heat or the cold of the weather. He loved the outdoors and spent every day, sometimes all day, outside either doing yard work, or just messing around in his favorite spot in the back yard, or in the front yard under the big tree, or just sitting on the front porch just enjoying nature. He loved woodcarving and feeding the birds that were in the yard. When not outside, he was in the house watching his favorite Western Movies or TV shows. He always spoke of his love of going fishing with his brother Harold, his unique bond with his sister Alice, which kept the family laughing when you heard them talking on the phone about their childhood. He also spoke of his sister, Juanita, when she would call or go by the house to see him and his sister Estelle, about how she had a beautiful smile on her face that reminded him of his mother. He always spoke of growing up with his siblings and the things that they did. Oh, the stories he told his children were hilarious and so out of character for him. He enjoyed when family came around, as he enjoyed showing them something that he was working on, whether a new carving, a tool, or something he was doing in the yard. He loved Roses and made sure he had them in his yard as they were his favorite flower.

Raymond had a special bond with his care team in Arizona that left them heartbroken and sad about his sudden departure from this world.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and William Wallace Sr.; his wife, Susie Katherine Wallace; his first wife, Christina Smith Wallace, and infant son Kenneth; his brothers, Theodore Wallace, William "Snook" Wallace, James Wallace, and Arthur Wallace; and his sisters, Louise Freeman and Elnora Smith.

With saddened and broken hearts, his fond memories and legacy (with lots of laughter, heartfelt joy, and happy times spent in remembrance of him) will forever be cherished by his beloved children, Howard Wallace (Rhonda) of Williamsburg Va., Apostle Sharon Wallace of Virginia Beach, Va, Kenneth Wallace (Lorena) of Tucson, Az, Rev. Dr. Juanita Allen (Jerry Sr.) of Maricopa, Az, and John Wallace (Earlene) of Ft. Washington MD.; nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; beloved brother and sisters, Estelle Powell, Harold Wallace (Lisbeth), and Juanita Griffith (William), all of Williamsburg, Va., and Alice Robinson of Gloucester, Va.; sister-in-law Gracie Johnson of Washington, DC; special nieces, Margaret Ferguson, Selena Stoutingberg, Audrey Wallace, and Terry Cooke; special nephew James Wallace Jr.; "special son" Rev. Dr. Morris Randall Sr. (Helen) of Williamsburg, Va.; "special daughters", Carol Smith and Rita Alaman, both of Maricopa, Az; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

As we begin to live life without our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, remember it is not the loss we should be remembering but the joy of knowing that Raymond (our dad) is with our Heavenly Father. 2 Corinthians 5:8 tells us that "Absent from the body is present with the Lord". So let us rejoice in knowing that he is now resting with our Heavenly Father and has made it where we are striving to get to.

A service to celebrate Raymond's life will be held at noon on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at New Quarter Baptist Church, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow in New Quarter Baptist Church Cemetery.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com