Bette Lois Heard Wallace, 86, of Ruston died on December 23, 2016 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Joe Henry Wallace, her mother, Lois Barker Heard, and her father, Jessie Burkette Heard.Bette was born in Ruston. She graduated from Ruston High School in 1947 and fromContinue Reading
Bette Lois Heard Wallace, 86, of Ruston died on December 23, 2016 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Joe Henry Wallace, her mother, Lois Barker Heard, and her father, Jessie Burkette Heard.Bette was born in Ruston. She graduated from Ruston High School in 1947 and from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1951. She remained a lifelong, Ruston resident.When Adams Boulevard was being constructed on the Tech campus, she would go with her dad every evening to light the smudge pots. From that early age, she would become a surrogate daughter to the Tech building and grounds employees who worked with her dad, Burkette Heard, for over 35 years. She loved all of them, and they loved her, too.Bette began her career as a Home Economics teacher in Bossier Parishand soon returned to Tech to work in the Office of the Dean of the College of Home Economics. She was employed full-time at Louisiana Tech for 34 years, working with four deans. Bette was a loyal friend, supporter, and confidant in all areas of her work. She enjoyed befriending and mentoring students and faculty and was quick to share funnystories about all. She was proud of keeping up with and being the source of details whether it was student records, budget records, or accreditation reports for the College of Home Economics.She supported her husband in private business and reared two sons. She was the caregiver for her mother and father and her in-laws in their later years. Bette loved going fishing with her father and spending time with her extended family whether it was at family reunions, fish fries, or vacations to Disney World. Her numerous hobbies included gardening, cooking, making draperies, and creating sewing novelties for others. Bette was a founding member of Grace United Methodist Church. Later she became an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the Two by Two Sunday schoolclass. She was one of a group of ten founding members of the Card Care Ministry Team at the church and spent many hours creating unique and customized cards for church members on her computer.She enjoyed being a member of United Methodist Women and served as an officer in her UMW Circle. She was also a member of the senior adult ministry and loved the special programs and trips in which she participated.Bette is survived by her children Joe Henry Wallace, Jr. and Elizabeth Taylor Wallace of Azle, Texas; Samuel Glenn Wallace and Linda Garrett Wallace of Ruston, Louisiana, grandchildren Jeffrey Stuart Simmons (Houston, Texas), Christopher Bryant Simmons and wife Melissa Lewis Simmons (Houston, Texas) and great grandchildren, Elyse Suzanne Simmons and Thomas Garrett Simmons.The Wallace family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and residents of Russ Place Assisted Living, Alpine Guest Care, Aime Hospice and Always Best Care Senior Services for the friendship, love and wonderful care they showed Bette and our family during her lengthy illness.Funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Juliet Spencer and Rev. Leslie Stephens in Burkhalter Chapel at Trinity United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place at 12:00 and the funeral at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home. Internment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
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