Charles Wallace

Charles Arthur Wallace, 80, of Chesterfield, passed away April 15, 2013. He was born in Church Road, but spent much of his childhood and adult life in Prince George County. Charles was a member of Gary's United Methodist Church and a graduate of Carson High school. He has been a resident of Chesterfield since 1995. Charles was a career US Postal Service employee, retiring in 1993 with 32 years of service, and was the owner of Wallace Satellite Company from 1986-2001. He served his country as a US Army medic during the Korean War and was stationed in both Korea and Hawaii. Charles was an accomplished fiddler and mandolinist, performing with many bands for over 60 years. He especially loved bluegrass and country music. From 1954-56, he played mandolin with Tommy Vaughan and the Southern Valley Boys, with weekly radio performances on WPVA in Petersburg and WEVA in Emporia, plus a special guest appearance on WRVA's Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond. Charles played fiddle with the Gospel Road Express from 1974-2013. Other bands include George Winn and the Bluegrass Partners; Joe Martin and the Smokey Valley Boys; The Grandmas and Grandpas, and Bill Clark and the Country Boys. He loved to ‘jam' and could be found with fiddle-in-hand wherever music was being played. Charles enjoyed attending bluegrass festivals where he spent most of his time jammin' in the fields. He frequently participated in local jams held in area churches, restaurants, community centers and private residences. For many years, he was a regular participant at the Galax Fiddler's Convention. Charles encouraged young people to play music and his tutorage helped inspire a new generation of fiddlers to carry on the tradition. He was a life-long NASCAR fan favoring drivers Bobby Allison and Tony Stewart. Earlier in life, he enjoyed fishing and golf. Charles never met a stranger; he loved to travel and readily made new friends wherever he went. Charles was born January 23, 1933, to the late Harry David and Bessie Spain Wallace. He was the fourth of nine children. Charles was predeceased by a brother, William David Wallace, and two sisters, Rebecca Wallace and Hazel Eley. Charles is survived by his companion, Virgie Collins of Chesterfield; two brothers, Harry Wallace Jr. of Chesterfield, and Donald Wallace (wife Sandra) of Prince George; three sisters, Shirley Chastain (husband Gerald) of Colonial Heights, Christine Casey of Petersburg, Betty Schluckebier of Prince George; sister-in-law, Freda Gale of Prince George; numerous nieces and nephews; and his two cats, Kitty and Blackie. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2013 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend Guy Murdock officiating, followed by interment in the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to the SPCA, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.