Mary Ruth Wallace Church

Mary Ruth Wallace Church, 97, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at her home in Yorktown, VA, with family and friends by her side.
Born on September 29, 1926, in Troutman, NC, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Albert Wallace and Beulah Mary Plyler Wallace. She was the first of seven children and known as Mary Ruth or M.R. to close family. Mary was a 1944 graduate of Troutman High School.
Mary and her husband of 44 years, the late George Ellis Church, moved from North Carolina to Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia, in 1951. She was a Yorktown resident for many years, moving from Hampton to the Tabb area of York County in 1963. Mary was a charter member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities. At the church, she especially enjoyed being part of the Easter Egg Project, the Crazy Quilts, and was a member of the Carmine’s Circle. But more than anything else, she enjoyed people; and always with a smile. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and friend.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Mary Candace Church, and three brothers; Hugh Bryant Wallace of Concord, NC, Larry Joe Wallace of Sparks, GA, and Robert Allen Wallace of Valdosta, GA.
Mary is survived by three sons; Tim Church (Pearl) of Surry Co., VA, Joel Church (Tricia) of Yorktown, and Wally Church (Frances) also of Yorktown; three grandchildren; Kyle Church of Newport News, VA, Keith Church of San Antonio, TX, and Ashly Wylde (Callie) of Gloucester, VA. Additionally, Mary is survived by two sisters; Macie Woodside and Delores Phillips, both of Statesville, NC; one brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Evelyn Wallace of Hickory, NC; one sister-in-law, Lina Wallace of Statesville, NC, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at St. Luke’s UMC in Yorktown; visitation and viewing at 11:00 AM, service at 12 noon. Interment will be at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton at 1:00 PM. A reception following the interment will be held at St. Luke’s UMC. Amory Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements; please visit amoryfuneralhome.com