Permelia Franklin Wallace

Pam was born on October 21, 1935, in Lexington, Tennessee, to Hulon and Etta Franklin.

Pam was married to the love of her life, Cliff Wallace, and together they shared many happy years. One of her fondest memories was being pulled around the house in a little red wagon by Cliff when she was five years old—often joined by her brother, Powell.

Pam was an artist in every sense of the word. She loved painting, calligraphy, and rubber stamping, and she found beauty in antiques and anything homemade. Over the years, she painted hundreds of beautiful pictures.

She worked as a ward clerk at Jackson General Hospital before owning The Jackson Florist, which she operated for eight years.

Pam was active in her community, serving as President of the West Tennessee Decorative Painters, as an officer of the Eastern Star, and as a member of the Jackson Business Women’s Association. She also served as Secretary of the St. Mary’s Bowling League.

One of her proudest accomplishments was painting a Christmas ornament that was displayed on the White House Christmas Tree and is now housed in the Smithsonian Institution—a lasting testament to her talent and creativity.

Above all else, Pam’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children, Linda Lodes (husband Jack, deceased) and Randy Wallace (wife Karen). Her proudest moments were the births of her children—though she would often joke that “of course, she liked Randy the best.”

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Ella (Tootsie) Franklin and was preceded in death by her siblings Wilma Wallace (husband Audean), infant brother Franklin, Powell Franklin, Betty Jo Middleton, and Sue Garner (husband Herbert). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Beth Franklin (deceased husband James).

Pam was the proud grandmother of Whitney Wallace; Casey (Kimmer), Cliff (Whitney), and Crissy Lodes; and Shelley Jelinek (Martin).

Her great-grandchildren are Whitten Lodes, Wryland Lodes, Samantha Courtney (Kip), and Jarod Jelinek. She was also blessed with one great-great-grandchild, Casey Courtney. She also has numerous nieces and nephews.

Pam will be remembered for her kindness, humor, and artistic spirit.

Visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., on October, 10, 2025 at George A. Smith & Sons North Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Exchange Club–Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in her memory.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.