Mr. Lonnie Wallace, age 93, a resident of Glade Spring, Va., passed away at his residence on Monday, January 7, 2019, with his family by his side.
He was the last survivor of ten children born to the late Walter and Maude Proctor Wallace in West Jefferson, North Carolina. The family moved to Glade Spring, Va. in 1935 and Lonnie was 9 years old at the time. Beside his parents he was preceded in death by six brothers, Harry, Fred, Bob, Basil, Ted and Jim who was killed while serving in World War in 1945. He was preceded by three sisters, Hazel Anderson, Rosie Cuddy and Margaret Dodge.
At the age of 17 Lonnie joined the Navy and was a 2nd Class Petty Officer. He served as a Mail Clerk in San Francisco, California and in the Philippine’s. Upon returning home from service he worked at Horne’s Trading Post and grocery store and later became owner and operator of Lonnie’s Groceries and Meat Market which was located in the town square for over 40 years. Lonnie retired in 1985 and then drove a school bus for Washington County for 10 years. He helped organize the Glade Spring Volunteer Fire Department where he served as a member for 45 years. He was the treasurer of the fire department for 44 of those years. He was the last charter member of the Glade Spring Fire Department. He was a member of Old Glade Spring Presbyterian Church where he had served as Elder, Deacon and was on numerous committees.
Lonnie is survived by his wife of 71 years, Christine Hickey Wallace of the home; a loving daughter, Nancy W. Cook and son-in-law O.D. Cook, Jr. of Glade Spring, Va.; his son Herbie passed away in 2007 and it was his request that he be cremated and put in his dads casket; He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Patsy Wallace and Irene Wallace and a brother-in-law, Bobby Cuddy and several nieces and nephews; Lonnie is also survived by a step-grandson, Dr. Brett Cook and wife Leslie and three step great, great grandchildren, Berkleigh, Addison and Beckett; Two special little friends, LeAnne Christine and Reed James Crabtree who both called him “Pa Lonnie”.
He would like to thank all who had a part in his life and for all the love and kind deeds shown to Lonnie thru his Illness. A special thank you to Dr. Gerard Murphy and Missy, Sandy, Amanda and Renee to the staff of Mountain States Hospice for the care that was given.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Old Glade Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m., with Rev. Tim Bird and Rev. Tom Sullivan officiating. A military graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday at Mount Rose Cemetery with full honors conducted by the United States Navy and the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be family & friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be his church family, Marathon Breakfast Club and the Glade Spring Fire Department and all of his friends. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Glade Spring Fire Department or to The Old Glade Spring Presbyterian Church. Or if you wish just do something kind and helpful for someone in memory of Lonnie Wallace. He was always helping someone in need, he was just that kind of a person.
Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 250 East Main Street, Abingdon, Va. is honored to serve the Wallace family.