Mary Wallace

Mary Ashburn Wallace, age 86, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away on Thursday, January 22, following a short illness and complications related to pancreatic cancer. Mary was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 7, 1939, to Karl Everett and Sarah Lucille Tipton Ashburn. She was their third child of four, all girls.

Mary graduated from La Grange Senior High School in Lake Charles in 1958, where she was a cheerleader. In addition, she was voted Miss LaGrange her senior year. The yearbook states that Mary was active in many school functions; was voted head cheerleader; and was on both the Homecoming and Key Club Courts. According to the yearbook, Mary was always thoughtful and happy and always had a friendly word for others.

She went on to attend McNeese State University, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and was voted McNeese LaBelle in 1962. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Education in 1962. After graduation, she taught business education at Sam Houston High School and later, after receiving her Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Mary became a high school counselor.

In 1963, she married Wilton George Wallace of DeQuincy, LA. They settled in Lake Charles, LA, where she was active in her church and had two boys, Matthew John and Todd William. In 1973, the family moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, where Wilton worked in the family business. After selling the family business in 1979, Wilton moved back to Lake Charles while Mary and the boys stayed in Ft. Worth until the end of the school year. Mary took care of the family as a single mom during the week, and Wilton traveled back to Ft. Worth every weekend for almost a year. In 1979, the family moved back to Lake Charles permanently.

Mary retired as the high school counselor at Sam Houston High in 2000. In retirement, Mary was active in her church, First United Methodist Church, serving as President of the UMW among other roles. She enjoyed visiting her grandchildren and traveling with her husband, Wilton. Mary was a bright light in the world, always happy and generously giving of her time.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Wilton George Wallace of Lake Charles; son Matthew John Wallace of Shreveport, LA; son Todd William Wallace of Ft. Worth, TX; and grandchildren Cameron Ford Wallace of New York, NY; Alden Elizabeth Wallace of Houston, TX; Aiden William Wallace of Ft. Worth, TX; and Amelie Hanna Wallace of Ft. Worth, TX. Her surviving sisters are Carol Roach of Huntsville, Alabama; Rebecca Spano of Lake Charles; and Travis Ashburn of Brownwood, Texas.

Funeral services will take place at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Weldon Barres officiating. Visitation will begin on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and continue until the time of service. Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.