PORTSMOUTH - Frances E. Wallace (formerly Frances Rhode) passed away peacefully at home on December 8, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's.

As our mom would want it described she was born in beautiful Jersey City to Andrew C. and Lulu Rhode February 10, 1929. Frances lived where she was born on Mercer Street with an extended family of strong Norwegian stock, influenced by her Lutheran upbringing and a belief in community service. Jersey City was also where she eventually met and married Ray Wallace, a young Coast Guard man and the lasting love of her life. They had 55 years together and in their time as a Coast Guard couple they had 4 children, Guy (Maria) born in Staten Island, Kevin (Cheryl) born in Hawaii, Janice born in Portsmouth, VA and Dwayne (Roberta) in Juneau. Mom is also survived by grandchildren, Samantha (Rob), Jason (Michelle), Cullen, Sirena, Ray (Michelle), Donnie, Ronnie (Jessie) and Michelle (Bill). Also survived by 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, her very special cousin/sister Pearl Pursley, scores of nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grandnieces.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband Ray, sister Dorothy, brother Andy and grandson Josh.

Mom was forever a Coastie, her love of the Coast Guard so strong that she requested the CG anthem to be played at her services. While an active CG wife Frances, with hands full with over active children, saw her fair share of hospitals throughout the US and those visits usually happen when Dad was out to sea. Whether it was taking one of us to the ER for broken bones or sprains, an appendicitis, an arrow in the eye mom was always there to protect and help us through those many injuries.

Also, Frances' familiarity with hospitals and that sense of community service she was taught so many years ago lead mom to become a nurse while her youngest son was working on graduating high school. Frances provided 20 plus years of medical care, comfort and most importantly love to children who had severe medical issues due to a wide range of causes. Her heart was strong, her heart was big and she shared a love with so many children and she so regretted having to retire from her true calling due to medical issues.

Mom was always thinking about others. When we were children, she would bring Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners to the Coast Guard personnel on duty at the base on those holidays. Her specialty was pound cake and she made them for friends, family, the folks at the car repair shop, the bank, the florist, people at church, the doctor's office even a nice young manager at Kohl's, anyone that befriended her. When she was at the ER this past week Mom even promised to make one for the ER nurse Holly when she got home and was feeling better.

Mom was an advocate, she was a protector, she was our hero and she will be missed by all those friends and family that she touched throughout her long life.

A special thanks to Mom's angels on earth, her daughter Janice, her granddaughter Sam, her great-granddaughter Hollie, special family friend Leeann Apker and to all the host of other friends and family that because of their love of this woman worked so diligently to be sure Mom stayed in the comfort and security of her home.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, 612 S. Norwood Street, Wallace, NC 28466.

The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until 1:00 p.m. one hour prior the service at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in the Wallace Family Cemetery, Rose Hill, NC.

The family celebrated Frances life with a funeral service held on Monday, December 12, 2021 at St Andrew Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Portsmouth.

You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others" . We will all miss you.