Bessie Lee Wallace

Mrs. Bessie Lee Wallace (nee Riddle) of Westland was received into the arms of God on October 11, 2021, after a long and blessed life at the age of 91. She was born in Samburg, TN on July 27, 1930, to the late Flora (nee Dean) and John Riddle. She moved to Michigan after WWII with her husband, William “Ed” where they began their married life. Mrs. Wallace was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ed, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage, and her parents Flora and John and stepfather James, her dear brother Leroy, sister-in-law Laverne, sister Nellie and brother in law Fred. She is survived by her children, John (Joni), Steven (Marion), and Pamela whom she loved dearly and never let leave her without saying, “I love you: always have, always will.” Mrs. Wallace was the beloved grandma of John, Jason, Amy, Angela (Hillary), John Wm, Rebecca and great grandma of Taylor who were the delights of her life. She also leaves much loved nieces and nephews and their children, her beloved great-nieces and nephews. Mrs. Wallace left Hornbeak High School in 1947 after the eleventh grade to help support her family. Completing her high school education was important to her, and in 1994. At the age of 63 she graduated from the Plymouth-Canton schools not only receiving her diploma, but graduating first in her class and becoming Honorary Speaker at her graduation. She led by example, and said she wanted to accomplish this goal not only for herself, but for her family to show them that it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Mrs. Wallace was employed at Industrial Strainer Company in Plymouth, MI and held the title of Co-Union Steward at the plant for many years. On a light note, she was a favorite of her coworkers as she also organized birthday, holiday, and other special occasion luncheons featuring homemade food and desserts including Halloween parties at which everyone dressed in costume as they assembled auto parts. Mrs. Wallace called Joy Baptist Church her home for almost 20 years, where she made many dear friends and shared the love of Jesus with all whom she encountered. She leaves behind many dear friends, family members, and neighbors whom she loved dearly. We, her children, are deeply grateful for the friendship and love you shared with our mother across a lifetime. We appreciate your thoughtfulness, your loving kindness, and for holding us in prayer during this difficult time of saying goodbye to our champion, our teacher, our comforter, our mom. For each of you, we are grateful. Visitation will be Friday, October 15th from 2-7 Pm at the Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck), Plymouth. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 16th at 1PM also at the funeral home. Interment Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorials may be made to Joy Baptist Church (attention Abigail’s Tent), 37055 Joy Road, Westland, Michigan 48185 To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Bessie Lee Wallace

July 27, 1930 - October 11, 2021