Josephine Fay Wallace , 102, of Coral Springs, Florida and a Florida Pioneer Woman of Fort Lauderdale went home to heaven on Tuesday, August 6th. Josephine was born in Athens, Ohio to Frederick “Fred” Frank Sutton and Bessie Mae (Grubb) Sutton and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1924.
Josephine was predeceased by her parents, husbands Woodrow William Evans (1950) and Robert Wallace (2001), her brother, Harold Sutton, her sisters Freda Durham, Frances Flora, Catherine Campbell and Juanita Donato, a daughter Judith Marie Evans and two sons, William Woodrow Evans and James Douglas Evans. She is survived by her daughters, Betty Jo Bast, Sharon Olkewicz, and Janice (Richard) Day and son, Bruce (Carol) Evans, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 11 great great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Josephine’s father moved she, her brother and sisters to Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1924 after the death of her mother and at the height of the first Florida housing “boom”. Josephine and her family resided in “tent” city set up near South Side Elementary School to house newcomers until her father found a lot in an area of Fort Lauderdale called Progresso where he built their first home. Their Progresso home was lost in the ’26 hurricane. The second home Josephine’s father built has survived all the hurricanes since the “26 storm and still stands today in what is now called Old Progresso Village.
Josephine’s memories included homework done by kerosene gaslight during her school years. There was no TV or radio at that time. The beach was everything for Josephine and her family. For entertainment they paid a dime to go the movie theater followed by a nickel ice cream at William Mc Williams across the street from Stranahan Park. Reading was her favorite pastime along with spending time with her family and friends.
Josephine was a loving and beloved daughter, sister, mother, Grammy, Great and Great Great Grammy and friend. She had a deep and abiding faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, was quick-witted with a great sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by all those she loved and all who loved her.
Friends may join the family for a Celebration of Life Gathering on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 from 10:30 to 11 am., at the KRAEER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTER, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs, Fl., with a Funeral Service at 11:00 am., followed by burial at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
