Political influencer and longtime businessman Tommy Wallace passed away Dec. 3. Wallace, a man of humble and poor beginnings, became a successful businessman, owning T. L. Wallace for more than 40 years.
The 87-year-old Wallace was born on Sept. 19, 1933 in the little town of Topeka that is situated in Lawrence County. His father, Arvin Wallace, worked construction jobs traveling all over wherever the jobs were available. Arvin Wallace took his family with him. Eventually, Tommy Wallace quit school in the fifth grade so he could help support the family.
“He was the greatest man to walk the earth besides Jesus Christ,” his youngest daughter, Tonya Farmer, said.
Farmer spoke fondly of her father, stating that he loved his five children more than they could ever imagine. Wallace spoiled them, but made sure they knew to appreciate what they received.
The father of five children, Wallace spoiled Farmer said but he made sure they knew to appreciate what they received. Farmer said he loved them more than they could imagine.
Active in politics, Farmer said there was a saying, "if someone wanted to be elected in the state, they better have Wallace in their corner." However, she said he didn’t go by party, he supported the candidate.
His role in politics was far reaching, having met four presidents, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and both Bushes. He represented Mississippi at one of the inaugurations of Ronald Reagan. He even visited Reagan at his ranch in California and once received a call from Reagan. Farmer said Wallace couldn’t believe Reagan would call him.
“He loved Mississippi, Marion County and Columbia,” Farmer said. She also said he loved his family and his T.L. Wallace family, which he actually considered his own family, too.
He moved to Marion County in 1955 and began work with Singley Construction before working for Dixie Paving Company. He purchased the company in 1972 and T.L. Wallace Construction was born.
With his influence, he was very active in the legislature in Mississippi pushing for better infrastructure throughout the state. While he was not, so to speak, "book-smart," Farmer said he was brilliant.
She shared a story of Wallace at a meeting with a group of esteemed, highly educated leaders. Going around the table he listened as each of the people were naming off their alma maters and he was trying to figure what to say when it came to him without saying he quit in the fifth grade. By the time it came to him, he said he went to the University of Jayess, talking about the town in Lawrence County. He knew no one would know where that was, or even if it was a real school.
Farmer said the most important thing about Wallace was his faith. She said he had the faith of the old time prophets, Abraham and Jacob. She said he could hear the voice of God. With his faith, he believed in reaching out and serving the community and the world. He was able to build churches, orphanages and wells in Africa. Farmer said it was nothing for him to help out someone if he heard of a need.
She credits Wallace with saving Columbia during the flood of 1983. She believes he heard God tell him to cut the highway so the water could flow through instead of flooding the town. She said on the night of the flood, he took a boat out and help saved eight or nine people who were trapped in the flood waters.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 5. He is survived by his wife, Janette Hickman Wallace and four children, Tim Wallace, Mike Wallace, Linda Robinson and Tonya Farmer.
