Jan Sanders Wallace

Jan Sanders Wallace, age 77, of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away, surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her residence, on Monday, September 18, 2023 from Dementia and MSA. Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare, degenerative neurological disorder affecting your body's involuntary (autonomic) functions, including blood pressure, and motor control. Most people have never heard of MSA and it is extremely challenging for medical professionals to diagnose due to so many neurological related diseases.

Jan was born in Minden, Louisiana on November 29, 1945 to the late Glenn Almond and Mary Hadwin Sanders. She graduated from Fair Park High School in 1963’ and North Western State University in 1966’ with a Bachelor’s in education. Jan was married to Sam Wallace on September 13, 1979. She worked for the state of Louisiana as a Vocational Rehab Counselor, she worked as a Hearing Officer for Disability Determination for over ten years, and taught at Agnew Town and Country Day School.

Jan was a longtime member of Broadmoor Baptist Church where she enjoyed worshiping her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved visiting with, church family, being part of the Seekers Sunday School Class and working with Linda teaching the fifth grade class. Jan, also known as “Nana” to her loving grandchildren, thoroughly looked forward to the yearly trip with Emily to Camp Bethany. They would work together attending to their group of girls, had their own cabin, and simply spend time together working for Christ.

Jan always enjoyed spending time caring for her family and spoiling Sam, she loved flowers, her fur babies, doting over her grandchildren, watching Castle and Father Brown. Sam is now off the hook and no longer has to watch them. A sweet memory of Jan – Dakota was eating with them at Luby’s one day when he expressed that Nana’s hair was red because she kept a can of red paint. Jan always looked forward to picking berries with her grandchildren; especially Emily, Aaron, and Dakota at Shouqualak Farms in Frierson, Louisiana.

Jan and Sam loved traveling the beautiful country back roads of Arkansas in their jeep. While in college, Jan met Sam through the mutual enjoyment of Canoe class. There was a canoe trip to Chaplin’s Lake. Little did Jan know her canoe would be tipped over by her future love Sam! Following the fun-filled event, they started dating. When Jan found out Sam’s age she refused to date him any longer. Many years would pass before their paths would cross and destiny would finally take charge. Their love rekindled and there would be forty-four magnificent years spent together.

One of Sam’s memories was attempting to fish on Wallace Lake. They got there, got launched, and started fishing when the red ear bream started hooking lines like crazy. No sooner than all the excitement started Jan decided it was a great time to let Sam know she had a hair appointment in about fifteen minutes. You could imagine the excitement that filled the boat at that unique moment, this being their very first fishing trip together!

They loved traveling together through the mountains so high clouds would be surrounding them. Glamping on the rivers of Arkansas, canoeing, horseback riding, and hiking. So many times they would travel to Caddo River Ranch in Norman, Arkansas to stay in the beautiful cabins there. Jan and Sam became dear friends with the owners Darlene, Ken Warneke and their children.

Special memories were made at Gold Point Lake with the children, boating, skiing, and simply enjoying the great-outdoors. Other favorite places traveled and explored have been Petit Jean Mountains and Tanyard Springs Cabins. They would visit every year in October and looked forward to the bonfires, fellowship and Halloween effects. The two have canoed the Buffalo River, White River, and Arkansas Rivers.

Jan was preceded in passing by her parents; one brother, Steve Sanders; one grandson, Aaron Davidson; one nephew, Travis Sanders; one niece, Jaime Sanders; and four fur babies: Prince, Chase, Cracker, and Lucy.

Left to cherish Jan’s beautiful memories will be her beloved husband of forty-four years, Sam; four children: Rebekah Davidson and husband Richard, Louis Wallace and wife Camilla, Samantha Wallace Lee, and son, David; one brother, Kenny Sanders and wife Ruth; one sister-in-law, Patsy Sanders; four grandchildren; Emily Kate Davidson McEver and husband Billy, Hannah Wallace, Ian Wallace, Dakota Wallace and wife Bailey; two great-grandsons, cousin, Sissy; many extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

The family would like to extend their warmest gratitude to Sonja, Carol, and Melissa for the friendships, love, and devotion to Jan. A special thank you to the Broadmoor Seekers Sunday School Class for the prayers, friendships, and love for the Lord. Special thank you to the hospice staff of Life Choice for the care, compassion, and friendships developed. We’d like to thank Deneen and the Devine Staff, the staff of Willis-Knighton Pierremont, the staff of Willis-Knighton Rehab Center, the staff of University of Arkansas Medical Center department of multiple myeloma, and Sonny Moss for leading us through the processed, procedures, providing professional care, and guidance as we journeyed down the medical chaos. A special thank you to our neighbors: Cheryl and Tammy for the friendships, prayers, care and compassion shown during our great time of need. Thank you to Dr. Scott McRight and Dr. Paul Guidry for the professional care provided to our sweet Jan.

A graveside committal for Jan will be held Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM on the grounds of Mt. Zion Cemetery, Minden, Louisiana with Dr. Tom Harrison officiating under the direction of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80 Haughton, Louisiana 71037. If you will take 79N out of Minden to 518 and make a right, the cemetery will be located on the left.

Memorials may be made in honor of Jan Sanders Wallace to Broadmoor Baptist Church, Charity of Choice, or Partnerships for pets @ pfpeasttexas.org.

Sam: Jan, when you get to Heaven make sure you locate the key to the back gate so you can let me in.

Jan: You silly boy!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillCrestMemorialFH.com for the Wallace family.