Tanya Lynn Wallace

Tanya Lynn Wallace (First Sergeant, Retired), 60, went to receive her crown of glory from her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 26, 2014 while in the presence of her children and loving friend. Tanya was born in New York, New York to Joyce Helena Manning on March 11, 1954. She completed high school and attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling from Park University and two Masters Degrees; one in Human Resources Development from Webster University and one in Education from American Intercontinental University. Her desire was to be an example for her children and grandchildren and show it is never too late to get an education and that an education is something that no one can ever take from you. An educator she will always be. Tanya enlisted in the United States Army on October 14, 1974 and was a member of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Her assignments included Fort McClelland, AL; Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Bragg, NC; Germany; Korea; and Fort Bliss, TX. While at Fort Bragg, she met and married her loving husband Clayton Wallace. To this union, two children were born: her precious daughter, LaToya and loving son, Dustin. Her final assignment was as the First Sergeant of the Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course at Fort Bliss, TX in which she retired on March 31, 1996 and made El Paso, TX her home. Tanya’s dedication to the Army continued as she worked as a contractor in the Battle Simulation Center and later as the Senior Instructional Systems Specialist in the Quality Assurance Office at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. Tanya, in her earlier days, enjoyed flag football, bowling, racquetball, and was an avid Lady Volunteers Basketball fan (GO LADY VOLS). She had a love of music and reading, but a greater love for her children and grandchildren. Most importantly though, was her love for God. Her life exemplified the words of John 13:34: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” In 2011, she joined Word of Life Ministries, Inc. where she was an active member and involved on the Urban Initiatives Committee, Special Activities Committee, and the Prison Ministry and remained so until the time of her passing. Because of her humbleness and love for God, Tanya was able to encourage others not only within the ministry, but to almost everyone who was in some way a part of her life. Tanya was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, sister in law, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was preceded in death by her mother Joyce Manning and husband Clayton Wallace, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter LaToya Wallace of Greenville, NC and one son Dustin Wallace of Raleigh, NC; and a devoted companion and friend, Bonnie Pyke of El Paso, TX; five grandchildren: Tiammara Murchison of Virginia Beach, VA; Tehya Wallace of Jacksonville, NC; Kayla Wallace of Greenville, NC; Daysa Tolbert of Virginia Beach, VA; and Carrington Wallace Johnson of Raleigh, NC; one special aunt Andrenia Manning of Knoxville, TN, and a host of cousins, in laws, nieces and nephews, friends and other loved ones. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or American Cancer Society. Gathering of Remembrance will begin at 10:00am on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass. Interment will be Private. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.