- Date Of Birth: May 10, 1919
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2017
- State: New York
Clifford Alexander Wallace was born on May 10th 1919, in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica, West Indies to Sylvester Wallace and Rachel Thomas. He was the brother to Papa Wallace, Sonny Wallace, Louise Traylor, and Ilene Clear.
Though he grew up on his family farm, Clifford exhibited a strong love for learning and education from an early age. He had a naturally inquisitive mind and an exceptional memory. Over the years, he made sure to relate and impart a rich history of his family to reinforce the notion that understanding one’s roots, and valuing the connection to where one came from.
Due to an accident Clifford had to leave school and didn’t finish his formal education. Shortly before his father Sylvester passed away; realizing he was getting older and could not read nor write, Clifford asked his father: “Barba (as he used to call his father by nickname); teach me to write my name.” His father got a coal from the fireplace and wrote “Clifford Alexander Wallace” on an old shingle. That was the beginning of the path to literacy for this undaunted hero of our family. Clifford taught himself to read the newspapers; and, of course the Holy Bible.
Clifford’s father was from a long tradition of cultivators of the land on their family’s 11acre farm. Clifford continuing the tradition. He was valued for his integrity and his honesty, selfless acts of kindness and charity. He fed families, friends, and strangers alike – everyone knew they could come to ‘Ucco’ (as he was commonly called), for some day work and be well fed and paid.
In Birmingham, England he met Carmen Ethel Jones (RIP). She was 20 years younger and he became the love of her life; he readily admitted she was the best woman he had ever known. No one ever took care of him better than she (he proudly echoed over the decades), and even in his twilight years he pined away wishing that she had not passed away so early. She gave birth to five children during their time together; Gloria, Winston, Marlin, Jackie and Elaine.
The story of this fearlessly intrepid hero of our family shifted gears in 1984. Seeking a better life for their children including education and job opportunities, husband and wife moved to New York City. They worked hard and did the best they could during a tough transition in America and the “Big Apple”.
Clifford was a deeply reflective man, he could hold his own in any circle and was interested in politics, community issues, and lived fully every day. He could not tolerate a liar or a thief, and tried to impart the same qualities in his children. He could not stand a bully.
Throughout his life and especially during his zenith he was full of endearing praise for God and love of scripture. We witnessed his tears as he read the Psalms and accounts in the Gospels of Jesus’ life and miraculous works, he read and meditated on the laws of God and on the Proverbs and Songs of Solomon; he found solace in the hymns of praise that had carried him and elevated him his entire life through thick and thin.
Clifford Alexander, finally, after a lifetime of service to humanity and family returned to God on Friday July 21st 2017 to take up his final resting place where he continually praises the Lord God and dances among the stars with his beloved wife Ethel. Rest In Peace Dear Father. No words can express our sorrow at your loss from our midst. But your love, your life, your joy is in our hearts now and forever. We love you, and we miss you dearly. God Bless You.
His four daughters survive Clifford Alexander Wallace: Gloria Wallace, Marlin Fokusorgbor, Jacqueline Wallace, and Elaine Farnum, and his son Winston Sylvester Wallace; 14 grandchildren: Sian Wallace-Anderson; Kareem, Matthew, Elizabeth Hume; Olivia and David Fokusorgbor, Asiya, Richard, Joseph, David; Junaid, Bilal, Zaakirah, and Amral Farnum; 10 great grandchildren: Rachel Hume, Anisa Wallace, Terron Harris, and Nadiyah Harris; Ziah Salmon, and Zana Salmon, Zaki Wallace, Ya’Sirah Wallace, Aa’Leyah Wallace, Richard Wallace Jr.
