James "Jimmy" Wallace

With deep sadness but with abiding faith in the love and mercy of God our Father, the family announces the death of James Kelly Wallace, 88, of Kosciusko, Mississippi, on February 19, 2025.

 Jimmy, as he was known to all, was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on December 28, 1936, to James Fred and Laura Estelle “Bebe” Rhymes Wallace. He grew up in Jackson, attended the Jackson public schools and graduated from Central High School in the class of 1955. While attending Mississippi State University, where he majored in business, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

 On July 25, 1959, he married Judith Ann Harris. They settled in Jackson where Jimmy was active in family businesses, first with Paterson Drug Stores and later with Central Paper Company from which he retired as president. During his career he was active with the MSU Alumni Association, serving as one of the early presidents of the Hinds County Alumni Association. He loved his family and friends, the Word of God, and the MSU Bulldogs.

 Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Judy, and two children, daughter Kelley Chancellor (David) of Memphis, Tennessee, son Jason of Kosciusko, nine grandchildren, Bebe, Lucy, and Jane Chancellor and Timothy, Jordan, Colby, Conner, Landon, and Isabella Wallace, as well as a brother, Dr. William H. Wallace and family of Savannah, Georgia.

 A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 22. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., and the memorial service will follow at 11:00, with Rev. Phillip Palmertree officiating.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 603 Smythe Street, Kosciusko, Mississippi, 39090, or French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, Mississippi, 39745.