Extracted from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Sunday, January 25, 2009

Virginia Wallace Ward

A resident of Baton Rouge and a member of the first graduating class at Byrd High School in Shreveport, she died peacefully at her home at 6:15 p.m., surrounded by her family, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. She was 95, born in Winnfield on Oct. 25, 1913.

Survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Thompson M. ``Tommy'' and Rita Baker Wallace; adopted daughter, Eleanor ``Ellie'' Williamson Brown; three children, Fred Dent III, Charlie Dent and Catherine Eliasberg; namesake, Winifred Virginia Brown; daughter-in-law, Joy Gilbert Ward; five grandchildren, Diane Ward Toups, Katherine Ward, Claire Ward Murphy, Clay Ward Roberts and Janie Ward Martin; 10 great-grandchildren; a niece, Eleanor Vera ``E.V.'' Wallace; nephew and his wife, George Baker Wallace and Johnelle Thompson Wallace; great-niece and great-nephew, Anna and John Wallace; close cousins, Nancy Virginia Smith, Julie Dobrowlski, Scotty Dunlap, Virginia Carleton and Barbara Russell; loving caretakers, Lucille Willett and Lela Rucker; gardener of 40 years, Phillip Derozan; and faithful dog, Lady Ward.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Moncure Wallace and Elizabeth Long Wallace.

As per her wishes, private services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home, Baton Rouge.