Wanda Smith Wallace, 78, died July 20, 2022 with her daughter and son-in-law at her bedside. She was born on May 20, 1944 in Macon, GA. Her father was in the Army Air Corp. Her family traveled to many places in the United States and Europe until her father's retirement in 1961 to Panama City. Wanda graduated in 1962 from Bay High School. She received both her BA degree in Elementary Education (1982) and Master's degree in Reading & Language Arts (1984) from Florida State University.

Wanda was a respected and much loved Kindergarten teacher at Oakland Terrace Elementary School for 35 years. She affectionately called her students the "Basham-Bears" and later the "Walla-Bears". Wanda especially loved reading and most of her students shared that passion after leaving her classroom.

Some highlights from Wallace's career were Teacher of the Year, selection as a grant recipient to teach abroad in New Zealand for a summer, and being selected to attend a leadership conference for teachers at Harvard University.

Wallace was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Education Honorary for outstanding teachers and served in a variety of offices including President. She was a member of the Bay County Retired Educators. She served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven. Wanda was involved in many community service projects that benefitted and enriched the lives of the citizens of Panama City.

Survivors include her only daughter, Sandyl Basham Byars and her husband Todd; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Craig Wallace of Panama City, FL and her parents H.D. and Jewell Cook Smith of Clarksville, FL.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 11 am. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Lynn Haven. The family will receive friends at the church from 10-11 a.m.  prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church - Community Outreach, 810 Georgia Avenue, Lynn Haven, FL 32444.