Mrs. Willie Mae "Dit" Wallace

Willie Mae “Dit” Cornwell Wallace, 96, of Columbia, died peacefully at home Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Born in Lancaster, she was a daughter of the late Brooks Linder Cornwell, Sr. and Fannie Bell Cauthen Cornwell. “Dit” was affiliated with the Methodist Church all of her life, and specifically with Main Street United Methodist since the 1940’s. She was married to the late Edwin Jay Wallace on February 13, 1943 in the church parsonage which, at that time, was on Elmwood Avenue. Edwin and “Dit” were faithful members making sure all four of their children attended and participated in church activities. She served in various capacities over the years. She was President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (now the United Methodist Women), President of Circle #6, and President of Wesley Fidelity Sunday School Class. She also held various other offices within these groups. One of her 20 year projects with her Sunday School Class was the organization and delivery of Christmas presents to Whitten Village, a special needs residential home in Clinton. “Dit” also volunteered for the Sunday School Treasurer, spending many hours counting the Sunday School collection. Through Main Street she was also a volunteer of the “Sandwich Ministry” for the Victory Ranch and the USO. She was also a member of the Guild, the Coffee Club, and assisted with Mission Studies and Vacation Bible School. She and Edwin were also active with the church’s Flower Ministry. For a short time “Dit”, Edwin, her father, and their three oldest children were “Missioners” and founding members of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church. She remained a member of the Circle and the Daytimers at Virginia Wingard until her death. Community projects which she organized and participated in for years included: Veterans’ Poppy Sales, Easter Lily Sales, Shamrock Sales, Brace-a-Child Sales, March of Dimes, and Easter Seals. She was also an active member of the Magdalene Circle of the King’s Daughters. She was active in the Broad River Garden Club, whose community project was the beautification of the grounds of St. Andrew’s Elementary School (now H. B. Rhame Elementary School.) Many of the flowers she planted came from her yard and are still there today. She was also active in the St. Andrews Elementary School PTA. In her “spare time” she also managed to work for SCE&G until she retired in 1981. Survivors include her children, Harry Cornwell (Mary Wayne) Wallace, Sr. of Hartsville, Frances Elizabeth (George) Powell of Columbia, Grace Louise (Terry) Brickle of St. Matthews, Edwin Linder Wallace of Hartsville; grandchildren, Harry Cornwell Wallace, Jr, Avis Bell Powell Lindler, John Bruce Kneece, III, Katherine Marie Chappell, Carly Brooke Wallace, Nancy Caroline Pound Schrimpf, Teddy Heyward Pound, II, Dwayne L. Gainey, Darrin R. Gainey, Lori Lynn Brickle Judy, Dustin Shea Brickle; 15 great grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews who were all special to her; and sisters-in-law, B.J. Grippen of Blenheim, NY and Alice Harris of Grand Gorge, NY. “Dit” was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by daughters-in-law, Catherine Ann Doff Wallace, Libby Jo Brown Wallace; son-in-law, Teddy Heyward Pound; grandsons, John Edwin Wallace and Patrick Timothy Wallace; sisters, Myra Emily Thompson and Martha Linder Fulmer; and a brother, Brooks Linder Cornwell, Jr. The funeral service for Mrs. Wallace will be held 1 o’clock, Monday, October 26th at Main Street United Methodist Church, with The Rev. Dr. Robert Walker, The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Rhodes and Chaplain Carrol McGee officiating. Interment will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends in the church parlor, prior to the service, beginning at 12 o’clock. Memorials may be made in “Dit’s” memory to Main Street United Methodist Church, Current Budget, 1830 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or to Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29205. Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, is assisting the family. The family wishes to thank her caregivers Melissa Thompson, LeMeeka Felix, Carolyn Harris West and the staff of Palmetto Health Baptist Hospice.

Tributes

Mrs. Willie Mae "Dit" Wallace

September 3, 1919 - October 20, 2015