Catherine Gupton Wallace

Catherine Gupton Wallace of Hopewell, passed away August 5, 2010, after complications following emergency surgery. She was born on April 9, 1917 in Middleburg, N.C. to Nannie Reams Gupton and Lewis Jefferson Gupton.
Catherine was a member of Powers Memorial Baptist Church and a strong believer in the faith. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years William Elmo Wallace, Sr. their son, John Lewis Wallace, and brothers Bill Gupton, Jack Gupton, Alvin Gupton, Frank Gupton and sisters Nettie Gupton, Rebecca Pack, Maude Alice Eads, and Irene Lugo. First meetings with strangers often ended with hugs new friendships.
She was known for her sometimes quirky sense of humor and the ability to tell jokes. She brought laughter to her family and friends and later her caregivers.
She was also a garden extraordinaire and helped plant the seeds of the love for gardening and special flowers in her off spring. Even in her 90s, the mother of six worked her own vegetable garden and tended to her favorite flowers. Catherine could root almost any flowering plant -- family and friends enjoy the fruits of her labors in their yards today.
Though she was strong willed and rarely lost an argument, Catherine had a giving heart. She crocheted beautiful dresses for dolls and often gave those as gifts.
She was charitable with her vegetables and canned goods, as well. Catherine was a wonderful cook and baker and known for her canny ability to stretch a meal.
She opened her home to anyone, neighbors and friends, with their only requirement to leave from the same door in which they entered.
While she enjoyed shopping and looking for bargains, her purchases were most often for others.
She survived breast cancer and recovered quickly from two hip replacements. She cared for her late husband William “Elmo” Wallace at home before his death associated to cancer.
Catherine was tough. Even in her final days, Catherine showed her tough spirit.
Her personality, giving heart along with her toughness will be remembered.
Catherine is survived by five children son William Elmo Wallace, Jr. and wife, Jean, daughter Betty Jean Prince and husband, Kenneth, son Dewey Wayne Wallace and wife Linda, daughter Frances Hatcher and husband, Kenneth, daughter Elizabeth Baker and husband, David; a sister Blanche Stevenson, a brother Rodgers Gupton and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and three great-great grand children. The family will receive friends from 7:30 to 9:00 pm Sunday, August 8, 2010 at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 214 N. 6th Avenue, Hopewell, VA and where funeral services will be conducted 10:30 am Monday, August 9, 2010 with Rev. Robert Breckenridge officiating. Interment will follow in Bermuda Memorial Park. Condolences may be registered at: www.nelsencares.com