Sis. Roberta Wallace, affectionately known as Bert, was born on November 9, 1940, to the late Hattie and Amos Dean. She was the only child. She accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Second Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Roberta graduated from John Hay High School on June 17, 1960. Bert gave birth to two benevolent children, Valerie and Chris McClay. Bert later united with The Star Light Baptist Church under the pastoral care of the late Reverend Edward Smalls in April of 1978. Devoted to keenly serve the Lord, she found her calling as a loving member of the Senior Usher Board.

Bert met the love of her life and united in holy matrimony to the late James Wallace on May 24, 1986. Together they lived a fulfilling life where spending time with their loved ones was most cherished. As a proud alumnus of the Cleveland Public School system, she became dedicated to working at Collinwood High School. As the chief secretary, Bert touched many lives. Her generosity and pure heart kept the staff, students, and their parents frequently running to the office for her help. She worked at Collinwood until she retired in 2000.

Bert always found reasons to spread laughter until the very end. She was very sweet and always happy. Bert was known for her beautiful smile. This wasn’t just any smile. Her smile was uplifting and contagious. Bert’s smile had its way of lightening up a room. Her smile was truly a reflection of her genuine spirit.

On Saturday March 25, 2023, Bert departed this life to be with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her memories, two children, Valerie McClay and Chris McClay (Marquetta); three grandchildren, Tye’Shae Reynolds (Janaya), Anthony Osby Jr. and Cache McClay; three great-grandchildren, Tylar, Logan, and Jayce; loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.