Joan Louise Busch Wallace

Joan Louise Busch Wallace, passed away on June 16, 2021, in Lake Charles, LA.  Joan was born on September 14, 1935, in Lake Charles, LA.  She was a lifelong resident of Sulphur.  She graduated from Sulphur High School in 1953 and was class valedictorian.  Joan was a flag bearer for the Royal Clippers and was very involved in school activities.  She attended McNeese for a year, and then on June 19, 1954, she married the love of her life, Jess Burton Wallace, Jr. and became a homemaker.  They were married almost 60 years at the time of his death in 2013.

Joan was a lifelong member of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church, where she served as nursery director, taught Sunday school, was involved in numerous committees, and planning of an original daycare there.  She was also active at the Mustard Seed for many years where she enjoyed ceramics, quilting, and fellowship with dear friends.

Joan loved the Lord and was often found reading her bible or spending time on her knees in prayer.  She embodied the characteristics of a Christian mother, daughter, wife, and friend. 

Joan always took pride in keeping a beautiful home that was welcoming to others and a haven to her family.  She was an excellent cook and seamstress, making beautiful clothes for her children and grandchildren.  She also loved growing and arranging flowers.  She was a member of the Sulphur Garden Club and Sulphur Literary Reviewers Club for many years.  She and her good friend Audette Burleson started a Mother’s Day Out program called Playschool where they were known as Mrs. Joan and Mrs. Audette.  Many Sulphur residents today recall attending their school.

As a mother, grandmother, and wife, Joan was beyond compare.  She always encouraged and supported her family in everything they did.  Her home was always open to friends.  She was the Kool-Aid mom of Ginger Street before she moved out to the “country”. 

In later years, her family watched her live out her marriage vows as she took on the difficult role of caregiver for her husband through a long battle with vascular dementia.  She never complained-just soldiered on, later facing a years long battle of her own with dementia.  We rejoice that she is now healed and whole again, with no more confusion and pain.

A true light has gone out of our world, as our mom was one of the most genuinely kind and loving people we have ever known, a grand lady in every sense of the word. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the sitters that provided mom with loving care over the past five years.  Barbara, Sandra, Stella, Deborah, Brea, Becky, Cheryl, Maudry, Liz, and Valerie – we met as strangers and became family.  We love you.  Also, thank you to Stonebridge Assisted Living, Harbor Hospice Inpatient Facility and Heart of Hospice for their care of mom.

Joan is survived by two daughters, Diane Thibodeaux (R.J.) and Claire Sylvest (Dan); one son, Ross Wallace all of Sulphur; five granddaughters, Katherine Kumar of Seattle, Washington, Allison Sylvest and husband, Patrick Hayes of Orlando, Florida, Lauren Sylvest, Alexis Thibodeaux, and Alyssa Thibodeaux of Sulphur; one great-granddaughter, Addisyn Dupre of Sulphur; brother, Herman M. Busch, Jr., and wife Jean of Sulphur; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. 

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Herman M. Busch, Sr. and Neva Collins Busch; in-laws, Jess B. Wallace, Sr. and Myrtle Cartwright Wallace; sisters-in-law, Janice Busch, Arlena Shultz and husband, Marvin, and Almeda Ninemire and husband, Kenneth; and nephew, Carter Busch. 

Funeral services for Joan will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 2:30 P.M. at Johnson and Robison Funeral Home in Sulphur.  Burial will follow at Mimosa Pines South Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until the time of service. 

Memorials in Mrs. Wallace’s name may be made to Henning Memorial United Methodist Church.