George Washington Wallace

Founder and President of Wallace Building Service, George “Governor” Washington Wallace died peacefully on July 11, 2021, in High Point, North Carolina at the age of 85. 

George Washington Wallace shared his birthday, February 22, with the first President of the United States.  He was born on that date in the year 1936, in Hamlet, North Carolina to Emanual and Tululah Wallace. 

George “Governor” Wallace, Governor, his nickname, was a sarcastic inference bestowed upon a man by those who knew him well. He was a righteous, just, spirited, and imperfect man that Hamlet could not hold or keep. George completed his elementary education in Hamlet, North Carolina and was self-educated from then on. He migrated north to Evanston, Illinois, at the age of 17, in search of security and opportunity. George married Cema Moragne Wallace in 1954 at the age of 18 and they purchased their 1st home in the historic 5th ward in Evanston at the age of 20. He grew to become a husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, and activist.   

The “Governor” worked in construction before landing a position as a shipping and receiving clerk at Stepan Chemical Company in Northfield, Illinois, which was the last job that he held before starting his own business in 1963. He later joined with his brother Will Wallace to form “Wallace Brothers Furniture” the 1st and only black-owned furniture retailer in the city of Evanston.  

He was an old soul who quickly mastered survival in the deep south. He could plant it, pick it, hunt, and fish. He was an avid gardener with a green thumb and could grow anything. He believed that he could do anything and everything. Governor had a fierce belief in equal rights, justice, and fairness. He would share his opinion on each emergent issue with anyone who would hear him. 

Governor knew the hustle and he rode along with the best of them. The road was bumpy and there were detours, but he endured and was strengthened. Family and friendship meant everything to him. 

George is survived by his children, Paul Wallace (Kathleen), Atlanta, Georgia, and Wesley Wallace (Stephanie), Sicklerville, New Jersey.  His grandchildren, Blake (Tamara), of Apple Valley Minnesota. Cema of St. Louis Missouri, Olivia of Chicago, Illinois, Tyrone (Whitney) of Bolingbrook Illinois, Sydney of Sicklerville New Jersey, and Melanie of Jersey City, New Jersey. His great-grandchildren, Kennady and Lauren of Bolingbrook, Illinois.  His sisters, Catherine Strong of Hamlet, North Carolina, Beulah Fair, Louise Martin and Peggy Wallace of High Point, North Carolina. His Brother-in-law James Chavis of High Point North Carolina, His Sister-in-law Catherine Lyons of Evanston, Illinois; and  Sister-in-law, Alberta Wallace.

He was preceded in death by his wife Cema Moragne Wallace after 65 years of marriage. His daughter, Joan Wallace of Chicago, Illinois.  His parents Emanual and Tululah Ellison Wallace of High Point, North Carolina. His brothers, Clifton Wallace of Evanston, Illinois, Otis Wallace, Will Wallace and Prince Wallace of High Point, North Carolina and his sister Janie Chavis of High Point, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Earl Strong of Hamlet.

 A burial is scheduled for July 21, 2021, at Carolina Biblical Gardens.

Condolences may be sent to www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.