Blackwood, Wallace Pembrook
12/24/2005
Oct. 29, 1932 - Dec. 24, 2005
Wallace was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, on October 29, 1932. He was the son of Aaron Marcelle Blackwood and Margaret Vernon McDonald Blackwood. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree in Education. Wallace earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree and Master of Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Wallace spent 40 years pastoring churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. He was an Elder in Full Connection with the Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church and a member of The Order of St. Luke. He retired in 1994 due to diabetic health problems.
After retiring, Wallace became affiliated with the Jefferson Street United Methodist Church in Natchez, Mississippi. He especially loved the Men’s Sunday School Class and attended faithfully until his health prevented him.
Wallace loved to preach and enjoyed talking to people, even strangers on the street. One time this got him into some big trouble. In 1962, Mary received a phone call informing her that Wallace was being taken to the emergency room. She found out that Wallace had been rebuking a man for using foul language in public. For his efforts, he had been severely cut on his arm, and carried the scar the rest of his life. Mary was embarrassed to learn that her preacher husband had been involved in a street fight. Though this incident occurred on a Saturday, Wallace was adamant that he preach the next day because that was what he was supposed to do" but the hospital did not release him.
Wallace died on Christmas Eve, 2005, at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was laid to rest in the Natchez, Mississippi City Cemetery on December 28, 2005. Rev. Diane Woodall, pastor of Washington United Methodist Church, and Rev. Sale Lilly conducted the services.
Wallace leaves his wife of 52 years, Mary Kathryn McNeil Blackwood, two sons and their wives, Mac and Patti Blackwood, and Marc and Sissy Blackwood, two grandchildren, Kris Blackwood and Joelle Blackwood of Natchez, a step-grandson, John Neal of Minden, Louisiana, and a step-brother, Ralph Blackwood of Jackson, Mississippi.
In his forty years of pastoral ministry, Wallace touched many people for Christ and was deeply loved by both pastors and parishioners in Louisiana and Mississippi. He was laid to rest in his favorite robe with his favorite Bible in his hands. All who knew Wallace would agree that he left us as he lived among us, a faithful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mary Kathryn Wallace and family
Source: Louisiana Conference Journal, 2006
