Eddith Small Wallis, affectionately known to most as "MawMaw" passed away Sunday June 27, 2010 at the age of 94 at her home with her 3 children by her side. She was a lifelong resident of Gainesville and a member of the First Baptist Church where she worked in the children's department for over 50 years. She then volunteered at the First Baptist Family Life Center until macular degeneration did not permit her to volunteer anymore. She was a survivor of the 1936 tornado which struck while she was working on the square at McClellan's Dime Store.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse N. Wallis who passed away in 1972. She helped operate their Gas Station/Hardware/Sporting Goods store for 20 plus years. Enjoyed fishing with Jesse on Lake Lanier and after his death, going out to eat with the ladies as well as having grandchildren spend the night with her on weekends. The grandchildren always said that it took to long to walk through Lakeshore Mall because "MawMaw" knew so many people she had to stop and talk to them all. In her last years she enjoyed visitors in her home, where she lived for 62 years, from her family and friends and her "special" friends with Meals on Wheels.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; Pearl and Monroe Small, Sister and Brother-in-law; Doris and Albert Hale, Brother, Hansford Small.
Mrs. Wallis is survived by her 3 children, two sons and daughters-in-law; Phil and Nancy Wallis, Lawrenceville; Bobby and Jimmi Wallis, Gillsville; daughter and son-in-law; Sandra and Chris Nix, Oakwood; Seven grandchildren; Kevin Wallis, Pensacola, FL., Keri Wallis, Lilburn, Ga., Christy and Jeremy Grindle, Jefferson, Ga., David and Sabrina Wallis, Gillsville, Ga., Jeremy and Alesha Nix, Gainesville, Ga., Andy and Bethany Nix, Gainesville, Ga., Charlie and Rachel Nix, Flowery Branch and Nine Great Grandchildren. Sisters-in-law; Evelyn Small, Gainesville and Nelene Wallis, Blackshear Place, several nieces and nephews and her longtime friend and companion Katherine Goudelock Campbell, Gainesville.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 30, 2010 in the chapel of the First Baptist Church on Green Street. The Rev. Bruce Fields, the Rev. Bob Cain and the Rev. Danny McGill will officiate. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Little & Davenport Funeral Home Tuesday June 29, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations in Mrs. Wallis memory may be made to Meals on Wheels, 430 Prior Street, SE, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 or the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, Ga. 30501.
Those wishing to send online condolences may sign the guestbook.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 (770) 534-5201
