Ellen Sims Wallace took off on her heavenly journey, Saturday April 7, 2007 at the age of 98. We know there is great celebration going on in heaven at this moment. She was a gentle soul and now a powerful spirit.

Ellen was born in Okmulgee, OK, May 22, 1908, the daughter of John and Mollie Sims. She was born the tenth of twelve children to this union. She attended school in Beggs, OK and Kansas City, KS. While living in Kansas, she started working as a skilled worker in the aircraft industry for Boeing, which was rare at that time. She later moved to California to pursue another skilled position in an aircraft manufacturing facility. She returned to Oklahoma after the sudden death of her sister Iola, working at the Taft Institute and taking on the responsibilities of Mother to Iola's three young children –DeLois, Mayola and Leonard.

She met and married her husband of 45 years, Robert "Buddy" Wallace on October 26th, 1945. They had a passion for farming, raising cattle and gardening. They would host large family gatherings and holiday dinners. Ellen was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker.

Ellen's favorite pastime and fondness was vegetable and flower gardening, cooking and canning. She would raise several gardens each season located along Lafayette Street, allowing anyone to stop and pick vegetables. Ellen always had a beautiful and thriving garden which was once photographed by the Okmulgee Daily Times for its beauty. Over the years, the massive gardens grew smaller, but she continued her passion by tending to a few plants in her back yard.

At an early age, Ellen accepted Jesus Christ as her lord and savior. Her life was one of service to her Lord. She was one of the early founding members of St. Matthew's Missionary Baptist Church, and attended each week until her recent illness. For many years, Ellen taught Sunday school and was part of the Senior Mission. Her church was always an inspiration and her salvation during her illness.

Her laugh, her open Bible on the living room table, and wonderful home cooked meals are a few memories her friends and family will truly miss.

Ellen is preceded in death by her husband Robert Wallace; her parents; and her eleven siblings. She leaves to cherish her memories, her children DeLois House, Okmulgee, OK, Mayola Todd , Oklahoma City, OK, and Leonard Todd, Denver, CO; Nieces, Willella Adams, Rita Anderson, Cleora Briggs, Fay Little, Luanna Martin, Murline Miles, Brenda Moore, Verna Jean Oliver, Elnora Zackery; Nephews, Grant Wayne Simms, Mark Simms, Donald Sims and Wilford Sims; sisters-in-law, Alberta Simms, Beggs, OK and Willie B. Sims, Chicago, IL; members of the Robert "Buddy" Wallace Family; and a host of loving relatives and dear friends.

The final tribute will be on Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in the St. Matthew Baptist Church. Rev. McKinley Rice, Pastor, will officiate. The Christian Committal will follow in Beggs Cemetery.

You may visit Mrs. Wallace, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12 Noon to 6 PM.