Ella Mae O'Neal Wallace, age 93, died peacefully on April 12, 2016 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby, North Carolina. Ella Mae was born October 27, 1922 in Hartsville, South Carolina, and was the daughter of the late Thomas Eli O'Neal and Mae Belle Kissiah O'Neal (Brothers). She grew up in Rockingham, North Carolina, graduated from Rockingham High School and continued her education at Selina Business College. In 1941, Ella Mae married Hugh T Wallace, Jr. They made their home in Robeson County for most of their 56 years of marriage. She worked with the Singer Sewing Company from 1953 through 1997 as a manager and Owner/Operator. She was a charter member of the American Business Women organization and received the American Business Woman of The Year award in 1974. Ella Mae was a member of The First Baptist Church of Lumberton, North Carolina where she served her Lord faithfully. She taught Sunday school for many years and loved her friends in the Ladies Fellowship Class. Working in her yard and gardening gave her great pleasure. She loved her flowers and being in the garden club. She was happiest digging in the dirt and taking a dip in her pool to cool off.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh T Wallace, Jr., daughter, Laura Ann Wallace, brothers, David O'Neal, Rockingham NC, and John Brothers, Ellerbe NC, sisters, Elizabeth O'Neal Swails, Rockingham NC, and Sara O'Neal Davis, Augusta, GA.

Ella Mae is survived by her two loving sons, Hugh T Wallace, III of Myrtle Beach, SC and Phillip O'Neal Wallace, wife, Kathy of Shelby, NC. She loved her grandson Phillip O'Neal Wallace, II of Four Oaks, NC of whom she was so proud; brothers, Thomas O'Neal and wife, Geri of Rockingham, NC, Franklin O'Neal and wife, Frances of Charles Town, WV, Jimmy O'Neal and wife Bobbi of Owings, MD, sisters, Ruth O'Neal McCall and husband Shields of Lenoir, NC, Vera O'Neal Ledoux, Augusta, GA and Rachel Brothers Davis and husband, Dennis of Augusta, GA; sister-in-law, Letha O'Neal (David) of Rockingham, NC and also many loved ones of her extended family and special friends, Dr. Paul Leonard Powell, and wife, Sherlynn, Siler City, NC.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Cleveland Pines Nursing Center, Hospice of Cleveland County and Liberty Home Care & Hospice of Lumberton. Your love and kindness are greatly appreciated.

In her own words, she leaves this last message. "...Thank you all for my blessings from you, they will go with me 'till we meet again...Love Always & Forever, Ella Mae..."

A private service is to be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The First Baptist Church, 602 North Walnut Street, Lumberton NC 28358; Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150; or Liberty Home Care & Hospice, 705A Wesley Pines Road, Lumberton, NC 28358.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Ella Wallace.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com