Clarence Finley Wallace

Clarence spent many of his formative years in Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh, PA in addition to Woodville. He graduated from Dunbar High School in DC before joining the Navy to serve during WWII. After returning from war, he worked for the federal government in DC. He later met and married Nan Marie Collins and then welcomed Greg, Steve and Jennifer into the Wallace family.

Together, they opened Wallace’s Market, a small grocery store in the cohesive community of North Brentwood, MD. After Nan passed in 1977, Clarence continued running the family business until his “first” retirement. He then sold cars at Courtesy Jeep for numerous years until he relocated to San Diego, CA in 2002. Upon his arrival on the West Coast, he worked as a greeter for Walmart for 13 years.

Fondly known as the “Energizer Bunny” by his family, he had an amazing amount of love, strength, optimism, and determination allowing him to continue living many years after the doctors had given up hope! His warm and caring heart exemplified his gift of always putting others before himself. He loved Jesus, family, sunshine, walking, and the beach.

On Sunday afternoon, November 18 after numerous prayers from a host of prayer warriors and conversations with many of his family members and friends, he very peacefully transitioned to heaven for eternal rest, while surrounded by family. He is welcomed there by his wife, Nan; son, Greg; parents; seven siblings; many other family members and friends. He leaves his son, Steven D. Wallace (Elaine); daughter, Jennifer W. Dill (Tyrone); “adopted” daughter, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Turner Wood (Jesse); grandchildren, Steven Wallace, Jr. (Leanna), Dwayne Wallace, Jennifer Marie Cooper (Jason) and Cori Dill; great-grandchildren, Elijah Grayson, Jayla Cooper and Saige Wallace; two sisters, Rev. Dr. Arlene W. Gordon and Jane W. Gordon; numerous other family members and friends.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 28, 1:30 p.m. at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Central Union Mission (missiondc.org) or San Diego Alzheimer’s Association (www.alzsd.org).