Ernest Ray Wallace

In the late afternoon on October 6, 2023, Ernest R. Wallace, 75, left his earthly body behind and went to his heavenly home. Ernest lived out his last few years in Jupiter, Florida where he could be close to his sons.

Ernest was born on March 13, 1947, in Picayune, MS to Robert and Charlean Wallace, and was the oldest of four by only a few minutes. After high school, Ernest answered the call to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and sailed on the USS John R. Craig. During that same season of his life, he married his first wife, Ava Stockstill (Woodside) and started a family.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Ernest found his passion of working with heavy equipment, and spent most of his career as a crane operator in the oil field. Ernest enjoyed working with his hands and being outdoors, and was known for his tender heart, and in describing him, people typically said, “He would give the shirt off his own back to help others.” Life was not always easy for Ernest, but he said he knew the Lord was always with him.

Ernest was predeceased by his father Robert Valentine Wallace Jr., his mother Charlean Smith Rudeen, his sister Sharon Wallace Lee, and his granddaughter Carley Amanda Fleming.

Left to treasure his memory are his first wife Ava Stockstill Woodside, his son Robert Ray Wallace (Tammy), his daughter Amy Wallace Fleming (Joey), and his son Chad A. Wallace, his twin brother Ellis Wallace, and his brother Roger Wallace. Ernest had ten grandchildren Alexson Farria, Noah Wallace, Luciano Wallace, Astric Wallace, Marco Wallace, Soleil Wallace, Jesse Wallace, Joseph Fleming IV, Amelia Fleming, and Aiden Fleming. He also had five great grandchildren, Liam Farria, Tessa Wallace, Luciano Wallace Jr., and Cataleya Wallace, and Jesse Reid Farria.

At his request, Ernest’s remains will rest at the National Cemetery in Biloxi MS. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the American Heart Association in his memory.