Pauline Wallace

Iris Pauline (Nisbet) Wallace, 98 of Bryan, Texas lived a good, full life. Pauline left her earthly body and went to be with her heavenly father on May 24, 2021. Pauline was born February 27, 1923 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Paul Matthew and Nellie Marie (Willey) Nisbet. Pauline’s older sisters were Maudie Alice (born 1918) and Earlie Dawn (born 1920).

The family moved several times when the girls were small but they finally settled in Conroe, Texas. Pauline and her family were in the restaurant business for years. They (like many others) struggled through the depression years, and although they were not a well to do family, the girls never felt deprived because of the love and devotion of their family and close association with their relatives. There was shelter and beans in the pot. According to Pauline “we had it all!”

Pauline participated in a lot of the extracurricular activities during her years at Conroe High School. She and her sisters were cheer leaders, pep squad and drum and bugle corp. majorettes. Pauline was voted best dressed girl in school. She was appreciative of the recognition from her classmates and says that she was very surprised as she was truly dressing on a shoestring budget. Pauline’s deepest passion was dance and singing. She sang in church and at weddings and in school programs.

The family moved to College Station, Texas where Pauline’s dad opened a cafeteria near the A&M University campus. Pauline met her future husband, Thomas Emmett Wallace, Jr. on a blind date. They dated for eight months before Emmett had to leave for military training in the Army Air Corp. He returned home from the service after three years and Pauline married her sweetheart on March 3, 1946. Pauline and Emmett moved into their “dream home” on Garden Acres Blvd. in 1952 and lived there for 65 years. Pauline was a homemaker and a wonderful mother. She and Emmett raised seven children. Pauline’s darling Emmett passed away on September 16, 1983, but she says “as I look into the eyes of our children there is something of him there and that is so nice, so special. His love will always be here on earth with those who know him best”.

Pauline was a pioneer of holistic living. She swore by black strap molasses, garlic and cod liver oil. Her long life is a testimony to that healthy lifestyle. Pauline was a talented artist and a gifted writer. She wrote approximately 300 poems, of which many were related to her faith and her relationship with our Lord. The poem she quoted the most during the last few years was one of many favorites.

IN HIS CARE by Pauline Wallace

From the beginning with my God, forever in His care.

He is the keeper of my soul, whether I’m here or there,

So may I tend it very carefully, His greatest gift to me

And never let free will of mine place me in jeopardy.

If I were a cloud on a stormy day, or a beam from the summer’s sun;

If I was the sand on an ocean’s bay, or a tree growing until it is done!

If I were all or any of these, if the choice was up to me

To experience God’s creation in all of its purity;

Still, in Him we live and move and are; the Bible tells us so.

May our souls rest, yet pass the test when it’s time for us to go.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband Emmett Wallace Jr, her eldest son Ben Wallace, grandchildren Georgia and Zachary, her parents Paul and Nellie Nisbet, sisters, Maudie Odom and Earlie Hooks, and her nephew HK Odom Jr.

Pauline is survived by daughter in law Charlotte Wallace of SC, sons Tom Wallace and Troy Wallace of Bryan, TX. Daughters, Pamela Steinel (and Don) of Galveston TX. Lynn Beard (and J.R.) of Bryan TX, Sharon Holt (and Robert) of Bryan TX, and Cindy McMorran (and James) of Houston TX. Pauline also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, and many great great grands as well as nieces and nephews. Pauline will be remembered as the lady with a great sense of humor, who was always well dressed and was never without her red lipstick. She was exceptional and loving and she will be greatly missed.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to Encompass Health Hospice for their assistance. We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at St. Joseph Manor for all of the love, care and support they have given Pauline for the past four years.

Interment will be at the Kurten, TX cemetery May 27, 2021 at 1pm. We invite family and friends to join us as honor Pauline’s life.