MARILYN WALLACE

Often referred to as a beautiful soul and a friend to all, Marilyn Lee Wallace departed her earthly home on June 5, 2021, at the age of 78.  A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Marilyn was a source of continuous inspiration, unwavering support, and everlasting love to all she encountered.

Born December 6, 1942, to Earnette Hennesy and Clayton Calhoun in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Marilyn’s early years were influenced by her grandparents, the late Irene and Earnest Hennesy.   Marilyn accepted Christ at an early age while a member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Wynnewood.  She received her early education in the segregated schools of Wynnewood until integration in 1956.  A student of the all-Black Lincoln School, Marilyn would later become one of the first students to integrate Wynnewood High School. During her tenure at WHS, Marilyn played clarinet in the band, participated in Future Homemakers of America, and was an integral part of the girls’ basketball team before graduating in 1961.  Shortly after graduation, Marilyn moved to Oklahoma City, where she attended Oklahoma City College. She later moved to Los Angeles, California, where she would meet and marry the love of her life, A. J. Wallace.  To this union of 45 years, three children were born: Anjanette, Aaron, and Mitzi.  A few years later, the couple moved to Dallas, Texas, to live the remainder of their lives and raise their family.

Marilyn spent her professional career with early technology leaders Collins Radio and Docutel/Olivetti and the Motel 6 Corporation.  A lover of family history, Marilyn entertained her family with stories of growing up in Wynnewood, how she met singer Aretha Franklin shortly after moving to Los Angeles, and how she could make better lasagna than the Italian chefs in Rome, Florence, and Naples.  Becoming an avid traveler later in life, Marilyn traveled the world until her health no longer permitted her to participate in these grand adventures; however, she considered each of these excursions to be “the trip of a lifetime.”  She was also a Charter Member of the Greater Denton County (TX) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated.  Assisting women and children of color in North Texas with her Links Sisters gave her joy. Among her many appointments, Marilyn served as the Chapter Chaplain and a member of the Protocol, Scholarship, and National Trends & Services committees.

On June 5 at 5:19 A.M., Marilyn Wallace unexpectedly left this world to reunite with loved ones and friends in her heavenly home.  She is preceded in death by her husband and soulmate, A. J., her mother Earnette Hennesy, her father Clayton Calhoun, her maternal grandparents, Irene & Ernest Hennesy, paternal grandparents, Mary and John D. Calhoun, mother-in-law Maude Wallace, and several aunts, uncles, and in-laws.  She leaves behind her three children, Anjanette Wallace-Sela (Alex), Aaron Wallace, Sr. (Angela), and Mitzi S. Willis (Charles), as well as two bonus children, Curtis Wallace and A. J. Johnson (Dana).  Marilyn also leaves her sister, Lisa Rose, and sister-in-law, Gail Hendricks, as well as 15 grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Tylah Berry (De’ Marcus), Christopher Wallace (LaKeisha), Elisa Wadley (Ryan), Andre Wallace, Brandon Wallace, Aaron Wallace Jr, Alyse Wallace-Ford, Aiden Wallace, Charles Willis, III, Taylor Willis, Addison Willis, Derrick Rambo, Eric Dickens, Lauren Chapman, and Leonard Chapman, 24 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

If you are interested in supporting leadership education and the preservation of voting rights for people of color, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute — via AB Charities

The link to donate is:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/marilynleewallace