Mrs. Foy E. Wallace Sr.
Mrs. Foy E. Wallace, Sr., or, "Mother Jewell", as she affectionately known, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, August 17th, 1955, at her home in Longview, Texas, where she had lived alone since the passing of her husband, the late and beloved Foy E. Wallace, Sr., about six years ago.
She was born Jewell Jacobs, October 11, 1889, at Indian Gap, Hamilton County, Texas, being a third generation Texan. Her grandfather, Ed Jacobs, born in Tennessee, a seventh son of a seventh son, moved to Texas and became one of the first medical doctors to practice in the state.
In 1914 she was married to Foy E. Wallace, Sr., and became a mother to his children that were then at home. Gilley, the youngest of the step-children, thinks of her only as her own mother. Of this union were born Paul and Tom her own sons. Of her sons and sons-in-law and their sons there are today ten gospel preachers.
Mother Jewell was the faithful and beloved wife of a faithful and able gospel preacher standing by helping and encouraging him in doing the work of an evangelist. A devoted and loving mother caring for not only her own, but also her step-children. When asked, she replied she had no favorite among the preachers of the Wallace family. The great contribution the Foy E. Wallace, Sr., family has made to the church of the Lord in this generation has in no small measure, in part, stemmed from the Christian influence exerted by this godly wife, mother and teacher.
Her life was one of the finest examples of Christian womanhood to be found anywhere. Unobtrusively and with true humility she fulfilled her mission in life. Her days were spent in helpfulness to her family, to the sick, the needy, the troubled, and the study of the Bible. Without neglecting good works, her life shone out most brilliantly as a faithful and capable teacher of God's word. Her knowledge and understanding of the word of the Lord was greater and deeper than that of many preachers. The number whom she converted to the truth will compare favorably with many preachers. Yet, in all her teaching activities she was careful to never step beyond the bounds of Scriptural propriety but to remain within the sphere in which the Christian woman may safely be a teacher of that which is good. In connection with her husband's work, she has, on occasion, been employed by churches as a teacher of women and children in which capacity she wielded a tremendous influence for good and which work has been highly valued. For about five years prior to her death, she was employed by the Houston and Broadway congregation in Kilgore, Texas, to teach a Wednesday evening ladies' class. Her Sunday morning ladies' class in the Alpine and Glover church in Longview where she was a member was the largest class in the Bible School. Her devotion and unwavering loyalty to the truth and her zeal in teaching it are well known by those who knew her. Her advice was frequently sought and highly valued by those who received it.
Like her late husband, she had the fine ability to commend and to encourage without flattery. Many a young preacher can testify to the fact that she was truly a friend and encourager of the preachers.
Her salutary and kindly influence will long be felt in the lives of the members of her family, among brethren, and those who knew her.
A service was conducted in the new Alpine and Glover meeting house in Longview, Texas, Thursday morning, August 18. O. J. Russell, after a congregational song, read the fitting tribute to "A Worthy Woman" from Proverbs 31. Dan P. Fogarty led in prayer and the writer preached the sermon. Late the same afternoon another service was conducted at Georgetown, Texas, by James W. Adams. Then her body was laid to rest beside that of her late husband. Thus closed the earthly life, but not the influence, of a true Christian woman mourned by many but not as those who have no hope.
She is survived by her two sons, Paul of Lampasas, Texas, and Tom of Gladewater, Texas. Four step-sons, Cled E., Marietta, Oklahoma, Foy E., Jr., Long Beach, California, R. E., Prescott, Arizona, D. L., McCamey, Texas. Five step-daughters, Mrs. Tempe Queen, Weatherford, Texas, Mrs. H. E. Speck, San Marcos, Texas, Mrs. W. W. Sikes, Indianapolis, Indiana, Mrs. Mattie Lee Benskin, Grand Prairie, Texas, Mrs. Hulen Jackson, Dallas, Texas. Thirty-two grandchildren. One brother, Aubrey Jacobs, Burkburnett, Texas, and one sister Mrs. Alfred Massey, Corpus Christi, Texas.