Dr. Nicholas Blackburn Wallace, Sr.
1828-1898
Dr. N.B., Ada Petty, and son, Critz Wallace*
Gospel Advocate Obituary Memoriam
My father in the gospel, Dr. N.B. Wallace, heard the call, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," and accepting the invitation on the evening of December 27 last. He first saw the light of day near Decatur, Ala., on February 28, 1828. He obeyed the gospel at the tender age of seventeen years, graduated at the age of twenty-one years in Cincinnati, and spent his time for the good of others in the practice of medicine and preaching the gospel. Death can never mar the beauty of the life he lived. Its terror was at a distance; when unmasked, it showed to him a smiling face. "The dome of thought, the palace of the soul," sleeps quietly at Athens, Ala. Dr. A.C. Henry and Brother Miller were with Sister Wallace, the dear children, relatives, and friends to comfort them with the blessed promises of our Redeemer. The fact that the spirit has returned to God, who gave it, and that the light of an eternal day is his, and joy and gladness for evermore, is a gentle reproof to pale sorrow that sits weeping at the home of our noble dead. We are glad that the shadow death has cast over the souls of the living cannot dim the light of hope or frustrate that faith that overcomes the world. Like the flower that goes to sleep with the setting sun, he closed his eyes, and death was done; for to him it had not string, and by faith in Christ the grave had lost its victory. Death waits on all, but waits for none. Let us be ready, as he was, to accept the invitation to come up higher. The day he was taken sick he turned to his faithful wife and said: "Ada, the parting will be sad." The parting is over now; in gladness, hope for the meeting "over there." He was called to the mansion prepared at eight o'clock in the evening. Think not of the dead, but of the living; for he lives with God and the angels. Let the thoughts of sadness sleep with him, and "rejoice evermore" in the light of the hope of the redemptions of our bodies.
There is never a day so dreary
But God can make it bright;
And unto the should that trust him,
He giveth songs in the night.
There is never a path so hidden
But God will show the way,
If we seek for the Spirit's guidance,
And patiently watch and pray.
There is never a cross so heavy
But the loving hands are there,
Outstretched in tender compassion
The burden to help us bear.
There is never a heart that is broken
But the loving Christ can heal,
For the heart that was pierced on Calvary
Doth still for his people feel.
There is never a life so burdened,
So hopeless, and so unblessed,
But may be filled with the light of God,
And enter his promised rest.
There is never a sin or a sorrow,
There is never a care or a loss,
But we may carry to Jesus,
And leave at the foot of the cross.
What more can we ask than he's promised?
And we know that his word cannot fail--
Our refuge when storms are impending,
Our help when temptations assail;
Our Savior, our Friend, and Redeemer;
Our portion on earth and in heaven;
For he who withheld not his own dear Son
Hath with him all things freely given.
-by R. Wallace Officer, Atoka, I.T. (Indian Territory), Gospel Advocate
Directions To The Grave of N.B. Wallace
N.B. Wallace is buried in the Athens City Cemetery, Athens, Limestone County, Alabama. On I-65 take Exit 351. Head west towards Athens. Take S. Clinton Street north. Go eight or ten blocks and turn right on Washington Street. Take the third left, Market Street. Stop the car just before the road takes a hard turn to the left. Go into the cemetery. Cross the first little dirt road you come to, and continue toward a plot with two flagpoles in it. Just to the left of the flags, you will see an iron fence that comes to a point. At the narrow end is the Wallace plot.
Note: Wallace's first wife is not buried in his plot. It it back toward the edge of the dirt road you crossed. Very close. See photos below.
GPS Location
34°48'11.4"N 86°57'47.9"W
or D.d. 34.803177,-86.963299
Martha A.
(1st) Wife of
Dr. N.B. Wallace
Born April 14, 1830
Died November 1, 1868
38 yrs. 6 mos. & 17 ds.
Burial Location of N.B. Wallace
Note: Arrow points to location of burial of his first wife
Looking back toward Market Street. Not car up right side. Also note shaded block in distance
just above stone is the location of the burial place of N.B. Wallace's first wife, Martha
Dr. Nicholas Blackburn Wallace (son)
July 1, 1877 - July 12, 1818
Greater Love Hath No Man Than This
That A Man Lay Down His Life For
His Friends.
WALLACE
Wallace
Adah Louise Pettey
Wife Of
Dr. N.B. Wallace
May 22, 1849
July 8, 1908
Blessed Are The Pure
In Heart For They
Shall See God
Dr. Nicholas Blackburn
Wallace, Sr.
February 28, 1828
December 27, 1898
The Life Of A Just
Man Made Perfect
Special Thanks
In May, 2010, Tom L. Childers, Scott Harp, and C. Wayne Kilpatrick some of the graves of church leaders of yesteryear, whose remains now rest in the Athens City Cemetery. Thanks to them for contributions of photos in information to make this page possible.
*Also, special thanks to Paula Carter who sent the photo of N.B. Wallace and his family at the top of this page. Sent in on 01.18.2018
