Joan Reid Cole Wallace, 1944-2023

Joan Reid Cole Wallace ,79, of Golden passed quietly on Oct. 15, 2023 after a lengthy illness.

Joan was born March 8, 1944 to Homer and Junie Underwood Reid, the youngest of their three children. Joan lost her mother to cancer when she was only three. She and her siblings were raised by their paternal grandparents, H.W. and Bessie Reid, whom Joan referred to as “Mama” and “Daddy.”

Joan graduated from Quitman High School in 1962 where she proudly served as a majorette for three years.

After graduation Joan married James E. Cole and together they had one child, Kelly W. Cole. 

Joan’s childhood ambition of being a secretary was realized when she was hired to work for Sea-Arama Marine World in Galveston. Life events later brought her back home to East Texas where she settled in Alba and worked for Mitchell Energy. 

After the death of her first husband, Joan made her final home at Lake Holbrook where she resided until poor health caused full-time nursing care to become necessary. 

During her life on Lake Holbrook, Joan met and married Jerry Wayne Wallace. Although their time together was short, they packed it full of day trips and fun experiences. 

In her final years, because of failing health, Joan needed full-time care, which was lovingly provided by her son and daughter-in-law. 

Joan was notorious to all who knew her for her love of cats and shopping. 

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; grandparents; sister, Barbara Horn; brother, James H. Reid; and two well loved, longtime feline companions, Wolfen and Smuffin. 

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Kelly and Toni Cole of Golden; granddaughter, April Joan Barton of Clarksville; and great grandsons, Chase and Mason Barton.

An intimate interment service will be held at Myrtle Springs Cemetery at a later date.