Life story

" Frank Rodney Wallace, 80, of Monroe, NC passed away quietly in the early morning hours of Nov. 9, 2023, following a brief illness. Formerly of New Iberia, LA. Frank was born on March 13, 1943, in Lake Charles, LA and grew up in the small town of DeQuincy, where he was known as Rod, later preferring to be called Frank. After high school, he earned a Bachelor's degree in marketing and economics from the university of Louisiana Monroe. A lifelong learner, he went on to earn a Master's in Healthcare Administration and then later a Master's in Marketing. He used his education and business skills to work in the restaurant business for many years for McDonalds and eventually would own and run his own restaurant called Franks in Jackson, Mississippi. In his later years he became a college professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and more recently at Johnson C. Smith and Wingate University.
Frank was also a veteran in the U.S. Army National Guard serving two years stateside in the 1960s. He was assigned to KP duty on several occasions after arriving too late on base after visiting his sweetheart, Sandra, back in Monroe, Louisiana.
Frank greatly enjoyed fishing and hunting as well as camping outdoors. He always enjoyed learning new things and engaging with people of all walks of life. He could not be idle and was always working on a project of some kind or being involved in some kind of activity or idea. Of all his endeavors he loved teaching college students the most. He said he would really miss that when he was gone. Frank had many friends that he kept in touch with through the years even all the way back to his days in DeQuincy. He never met a stranger and was known for his outgoing personality and friendliness.
Frank was a dedicated Christian who was a faithful student of the Scriptures throughout his life. He and his wife Sandra were baptized into Christ in their late twenties in Lubbock, Texas and most recently have been active members in Kannapolis and in Monroe with the Central Union church of Christ. Over the years, Frank was involved in many different ministry activities or teaching Bible classes in the church. He found the letter to the Romans to be the most helpful way of understanding the Christian faith and would study it many times through the years.
Frank leaves behind his dear wife, Sandra, with whom he recently celebrated sixty years of marriage. Frank is survived by his brother, Jerry Wallace (and Audrey) and is predeceased by his parents Frank Alton Wallace and Marie Perkins Wallace of DeQuincy, Louisiana. He will be missed by his daughter, Michelle Smith and his son-in law Stephen Smith of Indian Trail, North Carolina as well as his son, Chris Wallace and his daughter-in-law Karen Wallace of Carthage, Mississippi. He leaves behind six grandchildren: Zach (and Ashlee) Wallace, Madi (and Josh) McFarland, Grayson Wallace, Hannah Massey (and Brent), Leah Raby (and Joseph), and Gwynna Smith; great-grandchildren Cooper Wallace, Graham McFarland, and Isaac Raby. He also leaves behind many good friends along with his cat friend, "Mo", who kept him company the last few years.

"For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." - 1 Thess.4:14 "