Darwina Carlene Wallace became a member in good standing of the Heavenly Holy Order of Angels on Sept. 15, 2018. She was welcomed by those that preceded her with great fanfare and celebration. Members in attendance included her mother and father, Allie and Chester Wallace; brother, William (June) Wallace; sisters, Theda (Earl) Clark, Margaret Elsie (John) Palmer, Iris (James C.) Pace; nephews, David Wagner, Andrew Wallace, James Steven Pace; nieces, Cathy Wyckoff and Delores Newlands.
Darwina was born into the family of Allie and Chester Wallace of Montpelier, Ohio, on Sept. 21, 1944. She is survived by sister, Anna Wagner; brother, James (Lynn); many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
After finishing high school in 1962, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she worked for the City of Detroit for 31 long years. She became an unfettered woman of adventure in 2006 with her retirement. She traveled to Australia, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Vancouver, British Columbia and Washington state.
She served as the president of East English Village, a neighborhood association of 2,200 homes. She was responsible for acquiring the 501(c)(3) status for the association. Like any great leader she earned the respect and loyalty of many as well as the ire of others.
Darwina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wayne State University in 1991. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, a testament to her strong work ethic and sticktoitiveness. Darwina merited the invitation and membership into PSI CHI, the National Honor Society of Psychology and Phi Beta Kappa, for which she was extremely proud.
Darwina loved playing card games with her friends and family, gardening and fairy gardens. She was obsessed with Starbucks, vanilla lattes with a shot of caramel in particular. Her joy in life was her beloved Chihuahuas. Due to a stroke in 2016, Darwina moved to Washington state to be closer to family. She gained many new friends, reignited her faith and read extensively.
Let it be known that Darwina was a woman of her word. To the very end she kept her secret. She was not alone when she tipped over that outhouse at the little white church in the middle of nowhere, near Montpelier, Ohio. But she is not naming names.
Darwina never married or had children. However, she did leave a long string of broken hearts in her wake. She was a spirited woman, known for her quick wit and sparkling eyes. She was strong, independent, and opinionated. She was a force to be reckoned with. Loved by many. Respected by all. May God be with the Heavenly Holy Order of Angels. As for those of us left on terra firma, we will miss her dearly.
Please sign her online guestbook at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.
