Lawrence “Bernard” Wallace, 77, of Charles City, Virginia went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Bernard, as we affectionately called him, was born October 6, 1947, to the late Irving H. Wallace, Sr. and Edith Lemon Wallace.
Bernard is preceded in death by his wife, Carol Brown Wallace, parents Irving and Edith Wallace, oldest brother, Irving A. Wallace, Jr., and oldest sister, Joyce Wallace Williams Shaw.
Left to mourn his passing is his daughter and stepson, Erica Wallace, and Terry Brown, two sisters, Thelma Wallace Whitehead, Antionette Wallace Jackson, three brothers, Larry, Kenneth, and Wendell Wallace all of Charles City, Virginia and three nieces, Monica Wallace, Dana Wallace Crewe, and Jennifer Shaw, and two nephews, Shannon Whitehead, and Dale Williams, and a host of great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Bernard gave his life to the Lord Jesus at an early age and was baptized at Liberty Baptist Church. He was a 1966 graduate of Ruthville High School. After high school he worked as a mechanic at Taylor & Harrison in Providence Forge, and the Newport News Shipbuilding Company. However, it was during a short period of time later, December 1967, that he was drafted into military by the U.S. Army. Bernard served in the military as a military policeman, trained at Fort Gordon, Georgia and received the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman Badge for Pistol .45 and Sharpshooter Badge for Rifle M14. After training Bernard was assigned to Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
After honoring his military commitment, Bernard returned to Charles City and was employed at United Virginia Bank later known as Signet Bank, then First Union. He worked for First Union for 25 years and received an early retirement. Afterwards, he worked for the Food Lion Corporation for seven years as your “friendly” neighborhood produce person. Anyone could go into Food Lion to see the pride demonstrated in the arrangement of the fresh produce that was displayed daily by Bernard.
During his Ruthville High School years, Bernard played on the varsity baseball and basketball teams. Bernard was also known as a great catcher for the Ruthville Red Wings fast-pitch softball team, and the team was later renamed the Charles City Raiders coached by O’June Bailey. His team won many trophies, and would travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard to participate in league games. In addition, as attested to by his medals for marksmanship, he loved hunting and won several trophies from the Parrish Hill Hunt Club for his prized bucks. He had a love for cars, “old ones”, especially his 1988 Town Car. You would see him anytime “floating” on Highway 60 in “Whitey.”
I could go on and on about the memories of Bernard, as he loved his family and friends, and he always had an infectious smile. I can only imagine this is what he would want his family and friends to know:
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Filled with tears for me,
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.
Author Unknown
