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Marie Wallace-Sears
MARIE E. WALLACE-SEARS
Cedar Rapids
Mrs. Marie E. Wallace-Sears (Thomasson) passed away peacefully in the company of her loving husband at Houston Hospice on Dec. 24, 2017, in Houston, Texas, at age 74.
Born May 3, 1943, in Van, Ark., to Illard and Edna (Vaughn) Thomasson, Marie graduated from Beaumont High School, St. Louis, Mo., and ultimately received a Masters of Art in education from Southeast Missouri University, Cape Girardeau, Mo. In 1967, she married Dr. Sidney Wallace Jr. (deceased, January 2001) in St. Louis, and their son, Marc, was later born to this union.
From 1968 to 2006, Marie touched the lives of thousands of young students as an educator. In 1987, the family moved to Cedar Rapids and Marie joined the Cedar Rapids Community School District. She was active in the NEA, served as a director on the boards of educational and charitable organizations while also being active in mentoring, foster and respite care programs.
In retirement, Marie married retired Capt. Daniell L. Sears, USAF, on Dec. 19, 2009, and relocated to Houston, Texas.
Marie truly loved life, family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, reading, her favorite coffee spot, nurturing flowers, exercising and games. She was a generous, dedicated individual, who loved children and was passionate about youth education and well-being. She was a person of faith and an active member of the Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. With an ever-present smile and repartee, Marie is remembered as a joyful, spirited soul who brightened the lives of others and was eager to help.
Marie is survived by her husband, Capt. Sears, Humble, Texas; son, Marc Wallace and wife Joni, Marion, Iowa; sister, Maggie Sanders, Los Angeles, Calif.; and sister, Joanne DeLoney, Mount Morris, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. Sidney Wallace Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa; parents, Illard and Edna Thomasson, DeWitt, Ark.; and 13 brothers and sisters.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 6 at Atascocita Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Church of Christ in Cedar Rapids at a later date in January.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to www.youcaring.com/MarieWallaceSearsFundForChildren.
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