Obituary for Doris Anne Wallace (Godbey)
Doris G. Wallace of Bethlehem, NC passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on December 3, 2022 at Trinity Village in Hickory, NC.
Doris was born on March 13, 1932 to Stanley and Maribelle Godbey in Galax, VA. After graduating from Suffolk (VA) High School in 1949, she went on to Roanoke College. She met Don Wallace while in college; they married shortly after graduation, and had two sons Steven and Peter Wallace (Norfolk, VA and Bethlehem, NC) who survive her.
Doris did a truly amazing job of single parenting her sons after a divorce in 1961. Both Steven and Pete have a great deal of respect for how Doris succeeded in life as a single mom. Times weren’t always easy, but she always found ways to make ends meet, as well as always being there for them during their hellion years.
Doris Wallace is also survived by two grandchildren, Stanley Wallace and Katherine (Wallace) Sievers, and three great grandchildren Colbie Wallace, Eleanor and Marshall Sievers. “Park Grandma” was the affectionate name given Doris by her grand kids, for her love of the outdoors, walks, and summer trips. Her grandchildren will forever cherish memories of carefully planned summer adventures where they got to experience new places and all the wonderful people they met along the way.
Traveling the world, adventures, and exploring different cultures was a lifelong passion. She visited Europe, China, South America and Africa. Doris climbed to Machu Picchu in Peru, and took a hot air balloon ride over the wild Serengeti in Africa. She took tours of the sewers of Paris, and stood with statues of the saints on the rooftop of the Vatican. In Marrakesh, there is a photo of a street vendor taken with a very large black snake wrapped across Doris’ shoulders. Driving through Mexico along the newly completed Pan American Highway in 1969, she and another teacher were once waved through a gun battle in process. In all, Doris visited 22 different countries, revisiting those she especially loved, like Morocco. Her family is very thankful for the thorough documentation and picture albums she made for each trip.
Teaching 10th grade English at Hickory High School, Doris was part of an innovative and creative staff. During her teaching career, faculty could develop their own curriculum. Doris seized the opportunity and was the first at Hickory High School to implement studies of literature in both science fiction and mythology. For many of her students, she made a lasting impression and changed the course of their lives.
Doris was a committed member of the Unitarian Universalist faith community. She considered herself born right the first time and was a lifelong agnostic who explored the mysteries of life. Religion courses at Roanoke College opened her mind to many world faiths and belief systems.
As a lifelong activist, Doris Wallace embraced issues such as women’s reproductive rights, ending the death penalty, civil rights, voting rights, and numerous social justice issues. The regional newspapers were often graced with her well-written and well-researched opinion letters.
Doris was a 25-year volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Catawba County.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Wallace family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.
Doris was born on March 13, 1932 to Stanley and Maribelle Godbey in Galax, VA. After graduating from Suffolk (VA) High School in 1949, she went on to Roanoke College. She met Don Wallace while in college; they married shortly after graduation, and had two sons Steven and Peter Wallace (Norfolk, VA and Bethlehem, NC) who survive her.
Doris did a truly amazing job of single parenting her sons after a divorce in 1961. Both Steven and Pete have a great deal of respect for how Doris succeeded in life as a single mom. Times weren’t always easy, but she always found ways to make ends meet, as well as always being there for them during their hellion years.
Doris Wallace is also survived by two grandchildren, Stanley Wallace and Katherine (Wallace) Sievers, and three great grandchildren Colbie Wallace, Eleanor and Marshall Sievers. “Park Grandma” was the affectionate name given Doris by her grand kids, for her love of the outdoors, walks, and summer trips. Her grandchildren will forever cherish memories of carefully planned summer adventures where they got to experience new places and all the wonderful people they met along the way.
Traveling the world, adventures, and exploring different cultures was a lifelong passion. She visited Europe, China, South America and Africa. Doris climbed to Machu Picchu in Peru, and took a hot air balloon ride over the wild Serengeti in Africa. She took tours of the sewers of Paris, and stood with statues of the saints on the rooftop of the Vatican. In Marrakesh, there is a photo of a street vendor taken with a very large black snake wrapped across Doris’ shoulders. Driving through Mexico along the newly completed Pan American Highway in 1969, she and another teacher were once waved through a gun battle in process. In all, Doris visited 22 different countries, revisiting those she especially loved, like Morocco. Her family is very thankful for the thorough documentation and picture albums she made for each trip.
Teaching 10th grade English at Hickory High School, Doris was part of an innovative and creative staff. During her teaching career, faculty could develop their own curriculum. Doris seized the opportunity and was the first at Hickory High School to implement studies of literature in both science fiction and mythology. For many of her students, she made a lasting impression and changed the course of their lives.
Doris was a committed member of the Unitarian Universalist faith community. She considered herself born right the first time and was a lifelong agnostic who explored the mysteries of life. Religion courses at Roanoke College opened her mind to many world faiths and belief systems.
As a lifelong activist, Doris Wallace embraced issues such as women’s reproductive rights, ending the death penalty, civil rights, voting rights, and numerous social justice issues. The regional newspapers were often graced with her well-written and well-researched opinion letters.
Doris was a 25-year volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Catawba County.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Wallace family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.