Silvia McElroy Wallace

On the morning of May 19th, 2024, at 9:57 AM, Silvia McElroy Wallace peacefully joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Silvia, born to John and Anna McElroy on August 31st, 1952, at Plattner Clinic in Grand Prairie, Texas, was the third of four daughters.

Raised in Grand Prairie, Silvia attended Bowie Elementary and Lamar Elementary School, Lee Middle School, and Grand Prairie High School. She pursued her passion for cosmetology at Irving Beauty School before embarking on a career at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. Her tenure as a cocktail waitress at the iconic Venetian Room brought her into contact with many musical luminaries of the 70s, enriching her life with vibrant experiences in the Dallas nightlife scene.

Silvia's journey as a mother began on November 3rd, 1971, with the birth of her first daughter Alana. When an opportunity arose for her to transfer from Dallas to the original Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, Silvia and Alana settled in downtown San Francisco at 626 Powell, in between Pine and Bush.

Missing her family back in Texas, Silvia decided to return home to Dallas where she fell in love with Rodney Wallace. One of the things that brought them together was their love for music and dancing, and they lit up the dance floor often. Their shared passion for music added a special spark to their relationship.

Silvia and Rodney married on July 4th, 1981, in Las Vegas, and soon after, joined the Burbank Gardens Church of Christ, fostering cherished friendships with the Potter family.

Silvia was a dedicated 'Softball Mom', and both she and Rodney were deeply involved in Alana's sports endeavors. Together, they coached her fast-pitch softball team, the Chicago Bears. Their commitment extended to Alana's volleyball games for the Grand Prairie Gophers, where they never missed a single match.

Silvia and Rodney welcomed their daughter Rheagan into the world on June 9th, 1987. One of Silvia's favorite hobbies was decorating their home at 2238 Ivanhoe Circle with, and dressing little Rheagan in, hand-crafted pieces she collected from her beloved Country Peddler Shows.

Silvia saw that Rheagan was exhibiting all the signs of a true entertainer at a very young age and sought professional training for her locally in Dallas, first at Young Actors’ Studio when Rheagan was only four years old. From there, Silvia tenaciously guided Rheagan’s career in film and television acting, taking her from Dallas and relocating her to Los Angeles, California, where she found an exceptional amount of joy and satisfaction in bravely and boldly paving a way for Rheagan’s talent and craft.

Her love for the film industry was a legacy passed down to her from her grandfather, her mother Anna’s father, Gabriele Gabrielian, an accomplished cinematographer of Italian films during the silent era.

One of Silvia's most adored attributes was her lightning-quick wit, a talent that delighted both herself and those around her. She had a razor-sharp mind and an unparalleled knack for clever humor.

She was also known for her undeniable, natural gift for writing and storytelling; both in her extremely creative, expressive way with words, and with her impeccable, recognizable penmanship. She loved the act of giving gifts and always put so much thought into every detail of the entire presentation.

Nothing fulfilled Silvia more than helping others achieve their success, and she derived a great amount of gratification from putting her time and effort into elevating others. She saw the potential in people and deeply cared about them, fiercely supporting and loving her family and the people closest to her, while also giving an abundant amount of herself to even a perfect stranger.

Her most recent passion was connecting with her many friends online, with whom she developed a true closeness. These bonds brought her a profound sense of belonging, acceptance, and kinship.

Silvia's love knew no bounds; it encompassed her devotion to the Lord, her family, her friends, and her community. She radiated love, embodying its pure essence, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who were touched by her affection. Her love will endure eternally, a timeless legacy cherished by those fortunate enough to have known her. She will be missed immeasurably.

Silvia is preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Anna McElroy, and her brothers-in-law, Pat Rusche and Michael Potter.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rodney Wallace; her daughters Alana Okon, husband Corey Okon, and Rheagan Wallace, husband Eric Moore; stepson, Page Wallace; grandchildren, Ryder Okon and Kylii Moore; sisters, Linda Rusche, Marielle Potter, and Norma Frisina, husband Patrick.

Services will be held at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home on Beltline Rd. in Grand Prairie on Friday, May 31st, 2024, with visitation beginning at 9AM, followed by a service at 10AM. Burial will take place across the street at Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens at 11AM.