Carolyn Sue Petty Wallace, a longtime resident of Gulf Shores, passed from this life Sept. 23, 2014.
Born in Huntsville May 27, 1942 to Thomas L. and Marion Grace Petty, she was raised in New Orleans, La. where she graduated from Francis T. Nicholls High School at 16.
During her senior year she met the love of her life, William H. “Buddy” Wallace, then a seminary student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They were married Aug. 15, 1959 at Trinity Baptist Church in New Orleans.
Upon graduation she attended Louisiana State University in New Orleans (now the University of New Orleans). She left school to move with her new husband to Gulf Shores.
Soon after arriving, they accepted the post as the first pastor of the Lillian Baptist Church. After a few years at that post, they accepted the pastorate at Orange Beach Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Orange Beach) where they served for 13 years. She was the children’s department director and teacher for their entire time in Orange Beach.
After a decade working with the youth at First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, she and her husband began attending Lagoon Baptist, her husband’s ancestral church. While there “Aunt Carolyn” — as she was known to most of the children she taught — again worked for many years as the children’s department director, directing the children in numerous Christmas plays, Easter plays, musicals and Vacation Bible Schools.
After many years of substitute teaching in schools located in Magnolia Springs, Foley and Elberta, she decided to work for the Baldwin County Board of Education full-time. During 1980, she accepted the position of cafeteria manager during the first year of the Gulf Shores School. She served in that position for 20 years, and also drove hundreds of children on her school bus route.
After retirement, she enjoyed spending her time sitting for her two grandchildren and teaching more children at church.
“Aunt Carolyn” is survived by her husband of 55 years, William H. “Buddy” Wallace; two children, William Clayton Wallace (Kelly Ford) and Katrina Sue Russell (Wade); two grandchildren, Anna-Kathryn Grace Russell and William Wallace Russell; a brother, Joe Thomas Petty of Wiggins, Miss.; a sister, Betty June Leach of Foley; and numerous nieces and nephews, whether related by blood or not.
A celebration of life service was held Sept. 27, 2014 at Lagoon Baptist Church in Gulf Shores. Interment was at Wallace Cemetery in Gulf Shores.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the children’s department of Lagoon Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
