Ray Tonaha Wallace, Sr., 79, of Ocilla passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at Tift Regional Medical Center. A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 30, 2021, at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenox, where he will be laid to rest. The Rev. Dr. Karna Bentley will officiate. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Born April 17, 1942 in Etowah County (Gadsden), Alabama, Mr. Wallace was the son of the late B. B. Wallace and Sara Josephine Goddard Wallace. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Diane Wallace; one brother, Arthur Lee Wallace; and one sister, Shirley Louise Beasley. He lived a fulfilling life as dad, husband, brother, papa, uncle and friend. He was a retired, self-employed truck driver and mechanic but loved to farm and work part-time jobs.
He was a people person and enjoyed being active and involved. He was the most caring person his friends and family knew. If you were in need, he never turned his back. He was always willing to give a helping hand. Mistakes were mistakes and he always tried to lift people up even if they may have fallen more than others. He never gave up hope on seeing the good in people. He was a Godly man and believed in the power of prayer. As most of us know, the family was unable to be with our loved one when he passed away due to covid restrictions. They were told by the hospital staff that he fought so hard to live. He loved life and never spoke of death. But God was ready to take him to his permanent home. Even though this will leave a huge hole in all of our hearts, we know he is in a better place. He was a member of Ocilla Church of God.
Mr. Wallace is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tonaha Ray Jr. and Desiree Wallace of Ocilla; two daughters and sons-in-law, Loretta and Shawn Duckworth of Nashville and Regina and Kent Lawton of Cottonwood, Arizona; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Elizabeth and Bo Purvis of Vanceville; seven grandchildren, Joshua Lawton, James Lawton, Justin Stone, Brianna Lawton, Haley Frye, Katie Hall and Noel Conley; and eight great-grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Chrystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.