Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Queen Esther Wallace, 88, made her transition to her heavenly home on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at her home in Jamestown, NC.

Born July 3, 1934, in Summerlee, WV to the late Lucian B. Randall, Sr. and Bessie Randall McKinney, Queen spent most of her life in the Oak Hill area. She attended school there until she completed eighth grade. Reading and spelling were her favorite subjects, but she always did very well in math. Queen attended DuBois High School until tenth grade when she left to marry Augustine Wallace, a local coal miner from “New Town”, another area of Summerlee. Most of their life was spent in the Summerlee area where “Steen” continued to work in the coal mine. They lived briefly in Flint, Michigan, where he went to work in the steel mills. Two this union eight children survive, Deidra Wallace, Charlotte Boyd; Augustine (Connie) Wallace, Jr., Wanda (Bradley) Williams, Demita James, Derrick Wallace, Leah Wallace, and Michael Wallace. From these eight children, she was blessed with eighteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Queen, in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her husband, Augustine Sr.; two infant children, Brenda, and Randall; seven brothers, James, Willie, Lucian Jr, Albert Carroll, Paul, John, and Victor; six sisters: Hattie, Virginia, Claudia, Daisy, Dorothy, and Eloise, as well as six other siblings who did not survive early infancy. Queen was the last surviving child of the twenty children born to her father, Lucien Randall, Sr.

Queen, also known as “Bitz”, began her career later in life, working as a cook in area restaurants and hotels including the Montgomery Ward Buffeteria, White Oak Country Club, the Comfort Inn, and the Holiday Inn. During this time, Bitz found a new pastime – bowling, and she soon joined a league. Bowling became a great interest, and she became quite good at her game. She also became known throughout the community for her cooking, especially baking. Everyone loved her fresh baked bread, cakes, and cobblers.

Without a doubt, the most striking quality of Queen was her love of God. She exemplified the true virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 31. She was a loving mother who taught the truth found in scriptures to her children. She spoiled her children with love providing their needs and as many wants as possible. She was mother to many beyond her own eight. Queen had a heart of gold and always treated people with love and respect. She was gracious, humble, forgiving, charitable, joyful, compassionate, and prayerful. Her life-focus was making it to heaven and ensuring that everyone she loved would make it there with her.

Queen, her sister Claudia, and several of their long-time friends, started a singing group which later became a quartet. This group sang at their local church, as well as throughout the southern West Virginia area. Queen also sang in the church choir at Summerlee First Baptist Church and at Outreach for Christ Christian Center in Beckley, where she was the kitchen manager until 2012, when she became ill. Queen suffered a severe stroke in late August of 2012. Based on the doctors, she would not survive, but God said, “not yet.” Her faithfulness was rewarded. Her recovery was a witness to the greatness and goodness of God. She continued to be a blessing to her family and all of those who loved her for over ten additional years until God called “Come on home, my good and faithful servant.”

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Outreach for Christ Christian Center 416 "G" Street Beckley with Rev. Thomas Steelman officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park, Oak Hill

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.