Edna Briese Wallace

FEBRUARY 17, 1920 – APRIL 28, 2014

Surrounded by her family and close friends, Edna B. Wallace, age 94, passed peacefully from this world to the next on April 28, 2014, following a brief stay in the hospital. Edna was born in Pensacola, FL, the sixth of seven children, to Herman L. and Martha E. Briese, She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Charles Arthur Wallace, her five sisters (Peggy, Paula, Elizabeth, Martha and Katie) and an infant brother. She is survived by her nieces (daughters of her sisters), Margie (Milan) Weerts, Ann (Denny) Saugstad, and Judy (Jim) Greunke, who regularly included Edna in their cousin reunions. Also surviving her are her nephews Jerry Kast and Ray Campbell. An additional surviving niece and nephew (on Charles Arthur’s side) are niece Mary (Tim) Ord and nephew Bill (Barbara) Bochner. She is also survived by several great-nieces and great-nephews. Longtime friend and companion, Kit Barrilleaux, next-door neighbors Howard and Ruth Cash, and longtime friend and advisor, Raymond Hutchins and his wife Laura, who oversaw Edna’s care, were as close to her as her family members. In addition to her family, she had many friends who will miss her caring ways, her cheerfulness, her loving generosity, wit, and strong determination to get things accomplished “my way”.

Edna was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, was educated, and had her first job in Pensacola. Soon after, she moved to Jacksonville, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She worked first for FLASCO, the parent company of the business with whom she was employed in Pensacola. Following a short term with them, she was employed by the Gulf Atlantic Towing Company (GATCO), where she served as the Office Manager, and soon became the Treasurer of the company. She was a long-time employee for over 40 years at GATCO. On October 25, 1946, she married Charles Arthur Wallace, the love of her life, and they shared 57 years of happy marriage. She was a member and philanthropic supporter of the Unity Church of Jacksonville for most of her life, and funded several stained glass windows in the church. After her retirement, she volunteered her services as the Church Accountant, as well as being a loyal Greeter on Sunday mornings. The Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville was a major recipient of her philanthropy, as well as the recipient of a lovely stained glass window in one of their meditation chapels. She loved her Solano Grove community, served as Chairman of the Grounds Committee, and faithfully supported it with both financial and tangible gifts. Besides her family, many other people and entities were also beneficiaries of Edna’s love and generosity.

A graveside memorial service for Edna will be held in Jacksonville, on Friday, May 23, at 10:00am, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Visitation with family members will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Church of Jacksonville or the Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville.

Words of comfort can be left at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808.