Martha Claire Wallace, 81, of Memphis, TN passed away on Monday, February 27. Her parents, Shelby Lee and Mary Eleanor Nix Wallace, and her brother, Shelby Lee Wallace, Jr, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kathleen Wallace of Augusta, GA, three nieces and a nephew: Ellen Wallace Harbeson (David), Leslie Wallace Holley (Joe), and Shelby Lee Wallace, III all of Augusta and Martha Wallace Kinsler (Jim) of McCormick, SC, three great-nieces and a great-nephew, two great-great-nephews, and several cousins. She is also survived by her caregiver and friend, Rita Lockett, her special Zeta sister, Nelly Shearer, and a dedicated friend from the Shelby County Republican Women’s Club, Tiffin Smith. Martha graduated from Central High School in 1948 and the University of Mississippi with a major in Physical Education in 1952. Later, she received her MA from her beloved Ole Miss. While at the University of Mississippi, she was very involved in the Intramural Sports Program as well as actively participating as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. Martha was a former member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis. She was a teacher for Memphis City Schools until her retirement after 30 years of teaching. She taught PE, health studies and was active coaching intramural sports and school play productions. Her schools included Fairview Jr High, Central High, and Trezevant Jr High. She was loved by all of her students and the feeling was mutual. After retiring from the school system, she taught ballroom dancing and pursued her interest in painting having several art exhibits. She remained very active in Zeta Tau Alpha. The Memphis alumnae of Zeta Tau Alpha have honored Martha by naming this year’s ZTA Foundation local scholarship in her honor. She was an active member of the Republican Women’s Club. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 3rd at 2 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens on Poplar Avenue with visitation beginning at 12 noon prior to the service. Burial will be at Memorial Park. Donations may be made in her memory to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, 8634 Riverchase Drive, Germantown, TN 38139-4437. Online condolences and floral tributes may be made by visiting www.memphisfuneralhome. net. Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100
Published in The Commercial Appeal on March 1, 2012