Ellery Ray Wallace

Named after his father’s military friend, Elery (“Ellery”) Ray Wallace was born in Marshall, Texas on March 15, 1951 to the late Mack C. Wallace and Bernice I Wallace.

Ellery was raised by his Grandparents, Bertha Irving and Jimmy Victor Stansell. Ellery Idolized his grandparents, the way his Grandfather would dress up for church and his Grandmother the way she would sit on the porch and kill a snake with a stick in her hand.  Under the guidance of his Grandparents, Ellery would learn and experience many of life’s valuable lessons especially getting up at 4am with his Grandpa, hitching the mule to the wagon and tending to the fields while exploring all the adventures any child would love.

It was here, on his Grandparents land, that Ellery would discover his love for exploring, working hard, and tending to all types of animals, including the snake that ate the baby pig (he got whopped for that one).

Ellery’s mom moved Ellery from Texas to Tacoma, Washington at age 8, after the passing of his Grandmother, where he attended Jason Lee Junior High and Stadium High School.

Ellery was a dog lover.  He raised and cared for many dogs over the years and loved Marley and Hussle his favorites.  

It was in 1994 when Ellery first met Reneé James, the woman who would one day become his wife.  Though they didn’t become an item at the moment, it was only a matter of time and destiny that would finally reconnect their paths when Ellery walked into Emmanuel Temple Church in 2003.  Ellery and Reneé later entered into holy matrimony on January 20, 2006.

Ellery was a “Jack of All Trades.”  From the shipyard to construction and professional painting, he was able to do it all.  It wasn’t until July 29, 2003 when Ellery would not just get another job, but become employed with Central City Concern (CCC) and begin a career that would allow him to do what he would passionately do for the remainder of his life; IMPACT THE LIVES OF OTHERS.  As a man of humble beginning, starting as a janitor was not an issue for Ellery.  It was all about hard work and doing the job that was assigned to his hands.  This is the very mindset that allowed Ellery to quickly progress to the position of Subacute Technician.  This is where he would allow God to use him to, in his words, “help somebody else" suffering from the same addictions he was delivered from.  Ellery was known by those he worked with, as a sweet person who gave his life to CCC and was very committed to the job.  Ellery also worked at the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) and CODA Recovery Center.  Through the observations of others, none of these places of employment ever seemed like just a job to Ellery.  Instead, they were places of purpose where Ellery’s life of ministry and love for others, would draw many individuals of NARA to attended Emmanuel Church Sunday after Sunday and give their lives to Christs.

Ellery was baptized at Matt Dishman Pool on July 13, 2003, and became a member of Emmanuel Church on September 24, 2003, where he served faithfully for over 16 years.  He became an Officer of the Church, ordained as a Deacon on June 25, 2017, serving in the ministry of Security and dedicated to all that was assigned to his hands.  Most importantly, Ellery served God and His people from a place of humility.  In the spirit of meekness, his wisdom spoke profoundly.  Ellery was a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and he became all things to all people for the purpose of saving some (1Cor. 9:19-23).  He epitomized Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

Ellery fought a good fight, finished his course, kept the faith, and on December 25, 2019 transitioned from this life to a place of rest.  Ellery has left a footprint in our hearts, an example to follow, as well as fond memories to cherish by his wife: Reneé James-Wallace; children:  Quincy Wallace (deceased), Tanisha Wallace-Porath, Natasha (Shannon) Anthony-Wells, Gainell Malaya Irving, Ashli Harmon-Watkins, Lionel Irving, Alexander Johnson, Dewayne Charles Taylor (deceased), Nicholas Sabathia, Harold Jones, Marshawn Dizer, Kisa Edwards, Tyra Sabathia, and Sharron Sabathia; sisters:  Arvetta Stansell-Clark, Cynthia Heyward, Paula Anderson, Loretta  Rawlins, Stephanie Crockett, and Deidra Cabbil; brothers:  Clarence Walker (deceased) and Terry Walker, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, church family and friends.

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