Sybil Pauline Edwards Wallis

Sybil Pauline Edwards Wallis was born on June 4, 1918 at Mondamin, Iowa to Cathyrn Golden Edwards and Dillion Edwards. She was the oldest child and had three brothers, Edson, Dillion, Edwin and one sister, Cathyrn Edwards Rife Kennedy. Sybil died on June 9, 1986 from breast cancer.

Sybil married Johnny Alfred Wallis on February 4, 1935. Together they raised a family of fourteen children; ten girls, Norma Jean Turner, Yvonne Irene Clark, Geraldine lone Heisterkamp, Carol June Leeper, Suzann Pauline Tierney, Linda Patricia Faylor, Janice Marie Gadberry, Merry Lucille Green, Kimberly Janette Pruett, Pamela Renee Miller; and four boys Malvern Johnny, Milton Walter, Duane Virgil and Lyle John.

A woman of fierce independence and determination, Sybil taught us to give life our best effort. "Speak and go on, smile and be pleasant, keep trying and you'll make it" were all bits of her wisdom. She insisted that the house be clean and neat. No dirt or patches were on her children, you left the house looking your best and knowing that being a Wallis made you special. She changed our lives by her example and steady guidance. Mother was an excellent cook and made ordinary food a life-long memory. She planted a garden, canned and cooked when most women would have struggled just to make daily meals. Baked squash, baked apples, fried chicken, home-made noodles, catfish, roast duck, bread pudding with hard sauce and potato soup were among our favorites. Sunday night suppers were always special when everyone came home to visit and eat her good food. Anyone that was brought to the house was welcomed at her table. It was not unusual to awake on Sunday morning to a kitchen full of hunters enjoying her food and hospitality. She showed her love by cooking good food.

Sybil loved life. She danced with her sons and played softball with her daughters. She sang, laughed and encouraged us through difficult days. If one of us was treated badly, she was our champion. She did hard things with ease and never let the thoughts or opinions of others daunt her. She showed us what was most important in life by taking us to church and teaching us the meaning of faith. Proverbs 31 describes her.

If Sybil's life could be spoken in one word it would be "family". She loved Johnny and each of us. Her love and devotion were carried out each day as she set about to take care of us. She was tireless in her desire to provide a happy home. A woman of great strength, it was our good fortune that she loved children. In our minds we see her still, working her magic on our home and in our hearts. As the years have walked by us, each of us has realized the depth of her courage in raising fourteen children. It is with great pride that we honor her memory. God blessed us with Sybil.

DONORS:

HUSBAND: J. A. WALLIS

CHILDREN:
NORMA TURNER
MALVERN AND DOROTHY WALLIS
YVONNE AND LAWRENCE CLARK
GERALDINE AND RONALD HEISTERKAMP
MILTON AND BETTY WALLIS
CAROL AND RICHARD LEEPER
VIRGIL AND GARDENA WALLIS
SUZANN AND MICHAEL TIERNEY
LINDA AND TIMOTHY FAYLOR
JANICE AND MICHAEL GADBERRY
MERRY AND MEARL GREEN
LYLE AND TAMI WALLIS
KIMBERLY AND JIM PRUETT
PAMELA AND DELBERT MILLER

Submitted 3/95

Paver Inscription:

"Sybil Pauline
Edwards Wallis
Wife, Mother
Grandmother
Mondamin, Iowa"