Mark E. Wallace

Rejoice with the family of Mark Elliott Wallace as we celebrate his life. Mark was born on April 30th, 1959 and left his earthly body September 9th, 2014 after a 3 ½ year battle with cancer. Mark spent his childhood living in Duncanville with his parents, Cecil and Kay as well as sisters Melodie and Rachel. Mark was the oldest and since he was the only boy he was out numbered and he knew it! He decided early on that the only way to hold his own was to be a big tease which drove his sister’s nuts. The family was active in the Duncanville Wesleyan Church where Mark accepted Christ into his heart and was baptized at the age of 14. As a teenager he joined the church softball league and his love for baseball was born (Go Rangers…well maybe next year!). Mark graduated from Duncanville High School in 1978. While in high school he was a member of the ROTC and boy, did he look handsome in his uniform. Mark went on to attend several years at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, OK. While bowling, Mark met his sweetheart, Debbie Heard of Lancaster and they married in November 1988. They lived in Lancaster for many years and in 2013 celebrated 25 years of marriage. Although they did not have children, they considered their puppies Jasmine, Maddie, Sugar Bear, Katie, Daisy & Dixie to be their babies. Mark was especially fond of his escape artists Jasmine and Maddie but it was Daisy who thought Mark hung the moon. The puppies will miss their daddy. Mark was an active member of First Christian Church of Lancaster for many years. He will be remembered for his service to the church and congregation. Mark could be counted on to lend a helping hand with anything from serving communion to washing dishes. Mark was much loved by a multitude of nieces and nephews, TJ Payne, Erica Hunt-Fry, Zack Payne, Erin Hunt, Garrett Heard, Ethan Hunt, Sara Reid, Jenna Reid, Nathan Reid and Lucas Fry. He enjoyed getting down on the floor to wrestle and loved tossing balls in the air with them. Mark was always up for a rowdy game of Dominoes, Phase 10 or Canasta. In his later years, his favorite game was “Sequence”, and he delighted in beating the pants off anyone brave enough to play. Mark retired in the summer of 2014 as a Texas correctional officer assigned to Hutchins State Jail. Perhaps his horror stories about jail food will remind his nieces and nephews to stay out of trouble! We mourn Mark’s passing but we are rejoicing he is out of pain and has gone to be with Jesus in Heaven. He gained comfort in the promises God’s gave us in Psalms 23 as his time drew near: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. God’s purpose has not yet been fulfilled in our lives but when it is, we will meet you, Mark, at the Pearly Gates for a family reunion. I can see you now, holding the gates open and welcoming new saints as they arrive. Until then, know that you are loved beyond measure and we will miss you. Mark is survived by his wife Debbie Wallace, parents Cecil & Kay Wallace, siblings Melodie Hunt and Rachel Reid, in-laws Sandy Payne, Mike & Linda Heard, Bryan Heard, Gerald Hunt and Greg Reid.

Mark E. Wallace

April 30, 1959 - September 9, 2014