Dr. Mary Virginia Wallace-Reid

Dr. Mary Virginia Wallace Reid, known to family and friends as Gin or Virginia, died peacefully at home in Philadelphia, PA, on February 7, 2014. She was born in October 21,1921 in the Cherry section of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the second of Mamie Torrence Wallace and Isaac Wallace,Sr's three children. She was predeceased by her parents, and her two brothers Isaac,Sr. and Floyd, Sr. Dr. Reid graduated the top of her class from Second Ward High school in Charlotte. Then she went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte in 1945. She was the first from the Wallace family to graduate from college and set the example for her nieces and nephews, and their children. While at Johnson C. Smith, Dr. Reid pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was a Golden Soror in the Omega Omega Chapter at the time of her death. She was also a member of Evening Star Chapter #53 of The Order of the Eastern Star for thirty-five years. To honor her parents she established and funded a scholarship at Johnson C. Smith University in their names. The Mamie and Isaac Wallace scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving student. Upon his return from service in World War II, and their graduation from Johnson C. Smith University, Mary Virginia and James S. Reid married and moved to Philadelphia, PA. Their only child, Virginia Anne, in whom Dr. Reid instilled a love of music and literature, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Reid was an English and Reading teacher at Dobbins High School in the Philadelphia School District for thirty-one years. She was a proud member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and served on the building committee at that school. She was a former member of the Dr. Ruth Hayre Scholarship Committee. And had been honored by the C hapel of the Four Chaplains. While teaching, she continued her education at Temple University where she earned both her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Education. Dr. Mary Reid was active in her community and a faithful member of The House of Prayer Episcopal Church for forty-nine years. She was a previous member of Janes Methodist Church, and Camphor Memorial Methodist Church. Dr. Reid is survived by her daughter Virginia Anne, her loving sister-in-law Helen Reid, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews. In lieu of cards or flowers please send donations in her memory to The American Red Cross or World Visions. Interment - Monday, February 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Mary Virginia Wallace-Reid

October 21, 1921 - February 7, 2014