Elizabeth “Libby” Marston Wallace was born in San Antonio, Texas and passed away in Durham, North Carolina on September 10, 2022 at the age of 87. Libby grew up in University Park, Texas and the New Orleans, Louisiana area. Libby often spoke of her childhood in New Orleans where she took art lessons on Bourbon St. and played the flute and piano. She was a 1952 graduate of Metairie High School where she was active in the Science Club, Literary Guild, Yearbook Advertising Committee and was a class officer.
Libby attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated with a BS degree from the College of Education in 1956 and was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and Kappa Delta Pi honorary education society. In 1979, she earned a Master of Education degree from LSU- Shreveport.
After graduation from LSU-Baton Rouge, Libby began her teaching career in Houston, TX. In 1958, she married Arthur M. “Mann” Wallace, Jr. The couple returned to Baton Rouge where Libby taught in St. Amant, La. while Mann attended LSU Law School. After graduation the couple settled in Benton, La. Libby continued her teaching career in Bossier Parish schools. She taught science at both Rusheon Junior High and Bossier High School and was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa. In later years, she taught the AIM program for the gifted and talented at Greenacres and Cope Junior High schools. She retired in 1989 after twenty years of service with Bossier Parish Schools.
Libby was a loving wife, a busy mother of four, an enthusiastic golfer, and a talented artist and musician. She was active in the Girl Scouts of America and the Airline High School Band Boosters. She was also active in the Bossier Civic Society and was President of the Bossier Bar Auxiliary. Libby was a member of the Hoe and Hope Garden Club and the Cypress Area Garden Club. As a Master Gardener, she worked to establish the gardens at the historic Hughes House after it was moved to downtown Benton. She was awarded the Cypress Area Garden Club Beautification award for her yard on Woodberry Lane in Benton. Libby also enjoyed playing bridge with the Wednesday Bridge Sharks and attending the Potpourri Study Club.
Libby was a lifelong Methodist and served as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and was a member of the UMW. In later years, she was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she worked to establish the Prayer Garden. She was a member of the Seekers Sunday School class.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur M. Wallace, Jr., her parents, Karl Kerr Marston and Gertrude Davidson Marston and also her sister, Miriam Marston Hughes, and brother, Robert Bloxham Marston.
She is survived by her daughter Margaret Wallace Jones and son-in-law Brian Walker Jones of Austin, Texas; daughter Kathryn Wallace Givens and son-in-law John William Givens of Annapolis, Maryland; son Arthur Milton Wallace, III and daughter-in-law Cheryl Reigel Wallace of Madison, Mississippi; and daughter Rebecca Wallace Rosen and son-in-law Alex Rosen of Durham, North Carolina; and also grandchildren Elizabeth Jones Nordin, Rebecca Jones, Mary Lynn Wallace, Kathryn Wallace, Ashley Wallace, Lyle Rosen and Lucinda Rosen.
Visitation will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, La. at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 24th. Services will follow at 11:00 am. Asbury UMC is located at 3200 Airline Drive in Bossier City, La. Officiating the service will be the Reverend Matt Rawle. Interment will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park located at 601 Highway 80 in Haughton, La.
Pallbearers are Brian Jones, Bill Givens, Alex Rosen, Art Wallace, Lyle Rosen and Chris Nordin. Honorary Pallbearers are Don Sonnier, Charles Boone, and John Byrd.
