Stephen Wallace

Stephen Clifford Wallace, 70, entered the gates of heaven Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Service: 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, 3732 Miller Ave. Visitation: noon to 5 p.m. Thursday at Serenity Funerals & Cremations, followed by a wake 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. Stephen Clifford Wallace was born on December 24, 1944 in Washington, D. C. to the late Hugh Clifford and Cecil Greene Wallace in Freedmen’s Hospital.  His childhood was filled with many happy memories.  He attended Washington, D. C. Public Schools where he was a standout player on his Junior High School    Baseball team.  He graduated from Mackin High School in 1963. Stephen attended More House College in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1977 he graduated from the University of District of Columbia (UDC) in Mortuary   Science.  After college, his talents and skills were reflected in various areas of employment, but his passion led him into a successful career in the music industry as a record promoter, working with many well-known recording artists. He received several National Honors, and Awards during his tenure with Atlantic Records, ABC Dunhill Records, Epic Records, United Artist, and a Gold Album for Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan.  He received a Gold and Platinum Album for Rose Royce, Car Wash, B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland Live. He was instrumental in his longtime friend Chuck Long’s receiving awards and recognition for top Disc Jockey at WOOK in Washington, D.C. It was during this time that Stephen met the love of his life, Claudette Williams-Trufant. They were married on November 20, 1980 in Claudette’s hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana, where they resided and raised two daughters, Tamia Trufant and Stephanie Wallace (after the death of Stephanie’s mother and his first wife, Cheryl Wallace).  Stephen’s great grandfather, the Reverend John Frisby Wallace who was an Itinerant Pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church many years ago, played a part in his interest in family heritage and ancestry. His grandfather’s influence, along with other experiences, helped to mold and energize his ambition to become  involved in Christian service for the Lord.  Sometime after becoming a member of the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, his Pastor, Reverend Donald C. Jeanjacques, helped them start their ministry, My Brother’s Keeper; a ministry aimed at ministering and witnessing to Drug and Alcohol Abusers. During this time, the Wallace family met Amy Schmidt, through a neighbor who could no longer help her and they took her in and loved her and cared for her; and thirteen plus years later, Amy is still a part of their family. In 2005, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the Lord relocated Stephen and his family to Fort Worth, Texas.  After relocating to Fort Worth, the Lord led them to Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Reverend J. A. Crane, Pastor.  He and family became official members on April 9, 2006. The Lord  continued to use Stephen in Christian Ministry, Serving as the Director of TMBC Prison Ministry.  His Christian service went far beyond the walls of the church.  Areas of ministry included:  Prison Fellowship     International, Angel Tree Christmas, Angel Tree Summer Camp and Angel Tree Year Round.  He served as Chaplain for Re-entry Volunteer Specialist (Vista) through Cornerstone Assistance Network.  In 2010, because of his dedication and commitment, Truevine was recognized as Faith Based Partner of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization.  In 2012, he received, along with wife Claudette, The Seasoned Saints Award from the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Worth. For the past five years, on behalf of the TMBC Prison Ministry, he and his wife have provided sack lunches on the last Tuesday of every month for the Welcome Back Tarrant County Re-entry Program for Probation & Parole. As a couple, they worked   tirelessly to accomplish the Lord’s will, even during his failing health; earning him the nick name by those closest to him - “THE SENATOR.” Stephen leaves behind to cherish his memories, his lovely wife of 36 years, Claudette Williams Wallace, 2 daughters, Stephanie Wallace of Sacramento California and Tamia Trufant Wade (Steve) of New Orleans, Louisiana, 1 brother, Jeffery Grant of Washington, D. C., 10 grandchildren, Arienne Houston of Sacramento, California, Nicole Trufant-Wade of Dallas, Texas, Simeon of Houston of Houston, Texas, Jalynn Brooks of California, Steven Sr., Mertis and Cory Wade, Tafny (Michelle) Ward, Ryiana (T.O.) Wade, and Nadia   Valteau all of New Orleans, Louisiana and Tracy Wade of  Florida. 10 other grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 17 nieces and nephews, 7 great nieces and nephews, 9 great-great nieces and nephews, 1 aunt, Olivia McKeiver, 2 cousins, Cynthia Green and Ann Guiles all of Washington, D.C. and a host of other relatives and friends