Edith Martin Wallace

Edith is survived by her daughter Linda and husband Junior; son David and wife Kim; daughter Debbie and husband Ricky; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren (1 more in March 2021) and 7 great great grandchildren. Edith is also survived by her sister Ruth and brother Donnie and wife Pat.

Edith is preceded in death by her husband Homer; her daughter Sharon; her son Michal; her parents, Ray and Vera; her brothers Clovis and RV.

She was born in DeKalb, Texas to Ray & Vera Martin on April 10, 1925. Edith married her husband, Homer Wallace, May 13, 1944 in Miller, Arkansas. They settled in Austin, TX. to raise their 5 children. With hard work and perseverance, they started an underground utility construction company. Edith took over the company after Homer passed away in 1973. She developed a successful business in a field of construction that was dominated by men. She was well respected by her peers and retired the company in 1990. This gave her time to enjoy grandchildren, travel and her love of antiquing. She loved what she called her “pretty things” which consisted of her extensive collection of dishes, Fostoria glassware, her many figurines and her collection of dolls. Edith’s faith was very important to her. She was a co-founding member of Bannockburn Baptist Church. She always put everything in God’s hands. With this strong faith in God and her strong need to be independent, she lived on her own until about a month before her death. Edith’s nickname as a child growing up was Jo and she was also affectionately known to others as Mama Jo, Moe and Aunt Jo.

Edith was a truly amazing and strong woman. She overcame so many obstacles in her lifetime. She loved her family immensely and was the glue that kept this family together. Everyone will miss her, the family gatherings at her house and that chocolate pie. Good night, mom, love you.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Edith’s life on Monday, November 9, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A memorial service is scheduled for November 10, 2020, 10:00 am. Both events will be held at Cook Walden/ Forest Oaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park located at 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749.

Memorials may be given for research to the Alzheimer’s Association, in honor of her daughter Sharon Wallace Gelsone.