Dr. Colonel (Ret.) Clara Beatrice Wallace of San Antonio, Texas passed away August 9, 2018 surrounded by family and friends. She was the second of eight siblings born to Joseph Sr. and Annie Laura Roberson on December 9, 1936.
Clara graduated from Marshall High School in Angleton, Texas, Class of 1955. She continued her education at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) College of Nursing, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Class of 1959. After passing state boards, she worked as a nursing instructor at her alma mater. In 1961, she was commissioned into the United States Air Force (USAF) as a Second Lieutenant.
On August 21, 1967, she married Willie B. Wallace, Jr. To this union, two children were born; Willie III and Courtney. Willie and Clara celebrated 50 years of marriage in August of this year.
During her military reign, her duties and titles include, Clinical Nurse, Nurse Administrator, Flight Nurse and Military Consultant to the Surgeon General. She was assigned to numerous bases in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Her military duty titles included clinical nurse, nursing instructor, flight nurse, nursing administrator, and military consultant to the Surgeon General. Military education includes Air Command & Staff College, National Security Management, and Air War College. She received a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Washington in 1967. She served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm/Shield. She retired in 1992 at the rank of Colonel after 30 years of military service. During her military service, she received the following awards and decorations: Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and 1 oak leaf cluster; Air Force Training Ribbon; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 6 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with 3 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star; Air force Organizational Excellence Award with 1 oak leaf cluster; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and 7 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters; Legion of Merit.
Following retirement, Col. Wallace worked as a Nursing Instructor at the Baptist Health System and St. Phillips College in San Antonio. She also worked as Director of Nursing at the San Antonio State School.
In 2007 at the age of 71, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Leadership.
Dr. Wallace has been a 20 year dedicated member of the Randolph Chapel Protestant Service. She is a member of Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter, the Society of Air Force Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society, San Antonio Black Nurses Association (SABNA), San Antonio Chapter of Tuskegee Airman, Inc. (SAC-TAI), American Nurses Association (ANA) and Texas Nurses Association (TNA) District 8.
Col. Wallace was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Annie Laura Roberson; brother Melvin Roberson Sr and sisters Emily James-Goods and Josie Lee Buckner.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, CSM (USA, Ret.), Willie B. Wallace, Jr. of San Antonio, Tx; son, Maj (USAF) Willie (Trey) B. Wallace, III (Jennifer) of Norman OK; daughter, Maj (USAF) Courtney E. Wallace of San Antonio, Tx; brothers Lt. Col. Joseph Roberson Jr. (Irma) of Vacaville, CA and Emmett Roberson (Rosie) of Houston, Tx; sisters Willie Mae Galley and Maryam Jamilah; brother-in-law, Amos Goods all of Rosharon, Tx; three granddaughters Sydney, Ava and Abigail; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Florals may be sent to Sunset North Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Prairie View Nurses Alumni Chapter
Designate to “ Colonel Clara B. Wallace Scholarship Fund”
6436 Fannin St., Suite 102
Houston, TX 77030
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