Ms. Patricia Ann "Pat" Wallace, 80, of Elkhart, was called to her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, within the familiar and peaceful confines of her own home surrounded by the people that she loved the most. Pat was born on August 16, 1944 in Jasper, Alabama, to the late Marlin and Gladys (Harris) Laye. She later married Vernon Lee Wallace, but he also preceded Pat in passing in 2005.

Pat is survived by her son, Jackie Ray Wallace of Elkhart; her daughters Lori A. (Chris Taylor) Moreno of Edwardsburg, Michigan and Tammy Jo (Mark) Hillibrand of Osceola; grandchildren Devin and Patricia Wallace and Adam and Alex Moore, all of Elkhart, and Coty Soliz of Kalamazoo, Michigan; great grandchildren Kaylee, Cadence, Collin, Katelynn, Alivia and Carson Moore, Valerie, Maxwell, Braxton, Brody and Maria Wallace, and Ka'Mauri, O'Marion and Cameron Williams; and her great-great grandson, Wyatt Adams. Pat is also survived by a loving host of extended family and friends, including a niece, Mindy Landers, and a cousin, Natalie Garrett, who both served as caregivers for Pat over the years. Along with her parents and husband, Pat is preceded in death by her daughter, Debra Lynn Firestone, her grandson Jackie Ray Wallace, Jr., her brothers Bobby, Tommy and Charles Laye and sisters Louise Fisher and Gail Ellsworth.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will be hosting Pat's homegoing services beginning with a gathering of family and friends on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 1:00 pm, followed by a celebration of Pat's life beginning there at 2:00 pm. Pastor Terry Parker and Pastor Mark Johnson of the Elkhart Life Church will officiate and burial will follow in the mausoleum at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.

Pat had worked over a decade for Whitehall Laboratories and Crown, both in Elkhart, until a disability required an early retirement. That, however, did not stop Pat, as she would tell you emphatically that when God closes one door, He always opens another.

In fact, Pat's love of the Lord and great Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She was a faithful and active member of the Elkhart Life Church (formerly Life Tabernacle) where she devotedly attended as often as she could. She took great pride in serving the Lord in any way she could, and often praised His name when her faith and patience paid off. Her infectious smile, energy, enthusiasm and love touched people from all walks of life. She found joy in spending time with her family and looked forward to gatherings, holidays, meals…..anything that meant all of her favorite people were coming together. All of her kids agreed that Pat was an excellent cook and was very well versed in feeding a large table, as it was kind of her way of saying, "I love you".

It should go without saying that a good cook was usually a good housekeeper, and with Pat, this was no exception, as she was a fastidious housekeeper, to say the least. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" would always be her accompanying phrase. Again, her children would agree that this was a quality that she has instilled in all of them from early on, as well as teaching them how to love, how to care and how to simply be present for others when they need you. Her "old-timey" demeanor and traditional ways endeared her to many. She was an avid fan of EVERYthing Elvis Presley, and enjoyed listening to his hymns with her family during her final days. She also enjoyed watching faith-based programs like "Touched By An Angel", the Hallmark Channel, and anything that had John Wayne in it.