Carrie Hoffman Wallace
February 5, 1921 — June 26, 2016
Live for today, for tomorrow is not promised — Carrie Hoffman Wallace
That was the motto that Carrie lived by.
Carrie was born in Fergus Falls, MN and was raised in Minneapolis by John and Hattie Hoffman. Carrie was married to Robert Wallace (deceased) and they had one daughter, Meredythe Frazier (deceased), and raised a son, Larry Anderson (deceased).
For over 35 years, Carrie spent her career as an administrator at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. During the summer months, as an employee of Phyllis Wheatley, she was the program director for Camp Katherine Parsons, an accredited camp and the only African American-owned camp in Minnesota, located in Watertown, MN. Cozy Breedlove (director) and Carrie Wallace taught many inner-city youth all aspects of camping, including canoeing, boating, identifying nature, campfire building, teamwork and more.
Ms. Wallace, as she was affectionately called by many, drove the bus from South Minneapolis to North Minneapolis picking up kids that were interested in camping. This was not in her job description, but because of her love for children she made sure that no child was left behind.
Her hobbies were raising dogs and cats, gardening, listening to the Twins baseball on “CCO” and a nightcap of brandy and Coke. Ms. Wallace was a member of St. James A.M.E. Church and was a member of the choir. She resided on 36th and Snelling in Minneapolis for over 78 years.
Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) Channel 2 featured Ms. Wallace on a special called Minneapolis Past, which chronicled the Black families that lived on Snelling Ave. She was forced to move from her home due to a house fire, at which time she moved to Loren on Park in Minneapolis.
Ms. Wallace was active in the Warblers singing group. She loved singing, gardening and helping in the office from time to time.
A celebration of her life will be held at Minnehaha Falls on August 20, 2016 from 1-5 pm. Please bring your grills, a dish to share, your family, and be ready to share Camp Katherine Parsons and Phyllis Wheatley stories with the community. Per Ms. Wallace’s wishes, there was no funeral service held.
Carrie Hoffman Wallace passed away at the grand age of 95, but lived to become a great-great-great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by children Meredythe Frazier, Larry Anderson; grandchildren Allan Frazier, Kara Frazier, Leslie Frazier. She is survived by her son-in-law Art Frazier; grandchildren Autumn Frazier (Mike Cotten), Shelleye Williamson (Tony) and Arthur Frazier (Anita), Charles Wallace, Tony Tompkins and Tracy Anderson; great-grandchildren Shawna, Airy, Starsha, Dain, Brittany, Arthur, Julius, Nikki and Jacarri; and a host of great-great-grandchildren.
She will be missed dearly by the Minneapolis community she nurtured.
Contact info: Autumn Frazier, 612-244- 8405 or email frazier.autumn@gmail.com.
