Margie Wallace is remembered this week as “the Candy Lady”, for her community service and for her tireless efforts to build the Pierce County Library.
Wallace, 88, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday evening, Aug. 28.
Wallace was well-known in the community as she served on the Pierce County Library Board and the Pierce County Chamber Board, was a member of the Red Hat Society and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and its JOY group.
Wallace worked tirelessly during her stint as library board chairperson to make sure the Pierce County Library on College Avenue was built and would be something the community could be proud of.
She was also known as “the Candy Lady” at First Baptist greeting members and visitors with Werthers, peppermints and Smarties. She was noted for her big smile and friendliness.
A native of Pierce County and a graduate of Blackshear High School, Wallace worked for Southern Bell/AT&T for over 40 years, including at the downtown Atlanta office.
She returned to live in Blackshear in 1996 after living a long, happy life in Ellenwood, with her husband, the late Charles Neil Wallace, who died in 1993. Mr. Wallace was a Navy veteran and served as Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Blackshear First Baptist Church.
Margie Lee Powers Wallace
Margie Lee Powers Wallace, 88, of Blackshear passed away Thursday evening, August 28, 2025, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice
Wallace
House in Waycross, due to endo f-1ife Alzheimer’s Disease.
Born February 2, 1937, in Blackshear, she was a daughter of the late Alfred D. and Myrtle M. Bowen Powers. She grew up in Pierce County and was a 1955 graduate of Blackshear High School. She began working with Southern Bell in Waycross and retired from working at the downtown Atlanta office after working for Southern Bell/AT&T telephone company for approximately 40 years.
She returned to live in Blackshear in 1996 after living a long, happy life in Ellenwood, with her husband, Charles Neil Wallace, Navy veteran and Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court who passed away September 1,1993.
Together, they had farmed their vegetable gardens, owned horses, and raised goats, chickens and her very favorite kitty, Midnight. While Charles was a member of the Shriners’ Temple, Margie was very supportive of his mission of being committed to and active in the fraternity’s philanthropy of promoting the welfare of others.
She was so very happy being in the Blackshear Red Hat Society, serving on the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Board and serving on the Pierce County Library Board assisting in the planning and building of the new library building. She also took great pride in assisting with organizing her high school class reunion dinners and keeping up with each of her classmates.
A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Blackshear, she attended Sunday School and the Joy Group luncheons. She will forever be remembered by so very many at the church as the “Candy Lady” who gave out candy to everyone in the congregation with a great big smile on her face and sometimes wearing her favorite Easter or Christmas hats.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Nell Powers Wheeler and husband, Leonard B. Wheeler Sr. and a nephew, James Fleming Walker Jr.
Survivors include her brother, Marvin D. Powers; two sisters, Sue Ann Walker (husband James) and Elaine Popham (husband Russell); nieces and nephews, Teri Walker, Air Force Captain Devin Walker (wife Heather and daughter, Scarlett Anne), Elan Walker Daughtry (husband Casey and daughter Addie), Brandi Popham Kunian (husband Don and children, Mathew, Asher and Isabelle), and Dan R. Popham (wife Anya) and many Powers and Bowen cousins and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, from the First Baptist Church of Blackshear with the Rev. Dr. Justin Gambrell and the Rev. Dr. Bill Young officiating.
Interment followed in Waters Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Ricky Waters, Winston M. “Sonny” Bowen, William S. “Bill” Wall Jr., Casey Daughtry, William Jackson “Buddy” Bowen and Dan R. Popham Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Blackshear, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, Georgia 31516 or Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, Georgia 31501.
The family would like to extend a special thank you and much gratitude to Nanna’s Helping Hands who provided around the clock care seven days a week for Margie at her residence since November, 2022. In addition, thanks to all the caregivers at Memorial Satilla Health, Harborview Health Systems Pierce, Hospice Satilla and all her faithful friends, family and pastors who visited during her stay at home and her care locations. You are all greatly appreciated!
We can all find comfort and peace in knowing she is in Heaven, handing out candy with a great big smile on her face!
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
