George Alexander Wallace

George Alexander Wallace, affectionately known as “Porgie”, loving husband to Perrie Perry-Wallace, was born March 12, 1943, in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Edward Wallace and Sarah Price Wallace. He departed this life on January 22, 2026. George was reared in the Mecklenburg County public school system where he attended and graduated from Charlotte’s historic Second Ward High School in 1961. After graduation, George went on to serve his country in the United States Army for three years, before being honorably discharged as a sergeant. Following his military service, George continued his studies at Biscayne and Kings College. He was a graduate of Leadership Charlotte and completed continuing education courses at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. George forged a career and lived a life rooted in public and community service. He spent nearly 25 years employed by the City of Charlotte, initially with the Charlotte Fire Department before spending more than 20 years as a community relations specialist with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations department. It was during this time that George discovered his true calling and developed a passion for serving the broader Charlotte community. With the Community Relations department, George’s focus was on addressing the needs of and creating impactful change within the Charlotte community, through building relationships, facilitating community dialogue, conflict resolution and strengthening police-community relations. George grew up in the Grier Heights community (lovingly known by many as “Grier Town”) and was one of its biggest advocates. He was passionate about its well-being, its growth and preserving its legacy and was dedicated to enhancing the lives of Grier Heights residents. Upon his retirement in 1995, George continued his work in community relations, this time within the Grier Heights community, leading to his founding of the Grier Heights Economic Foundation. He served as its Executive Director over the course of 10 years. In this role, George was a catalyst for significant change and growth within Grier Heights, including registering Billingsville School (Rosenwald School) as a US National Historic Landmark, securing grants for educational programs, housing and other projects to help sustain and improve the vibrancy of the community. He was committed to educating the younger generation of Grier Heights about their ancestors’ humble beginnings and ways to enhance their lives and legacy through entrepreneurship, home ownership and community activism. Porgie leaves to cherish his memory his soulmate and wife, Perrie “Jackie” Perry; Sons, Jeffrey Perry of Charlotte and Darrell Perry (Sabrina) of Kannapolis, North Carolina; Daughter, Dr. Portia Barnes (Shelby) of Cheltenham, Maryland; Sister, Johnnie Mae Barnette of Charlotte; Brother, Samuel Eric Wallace of Charlotte; three grandsons (Michael, Jalen and Seth); two granddaughters (Kyndal and Shelby Jaye); and a host of nieces, nephews, brother and sisters-in-law, relatives, friends and loved ones. George was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Sarah Price Wallace; Sisters, Carolyn Wallace Blackwell and Frances Brown; and Daughter-in-law, Tracey Perry.

George Alexander Wallace

February 12, 1943 - January 22, 2026