Terry Howard Smith Wallace

Wallace—Terry Howard Smith Wallace, 80, on December 7, 2022, in Cumberland County, Pa. Terry was born on December 2, 1942, to Howard Wallace and Vernice Vickerman Wallace in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1954, his family moved to Camp Hill, Pa. Terry studied at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., and at Pennsylvania State University. He was professor of English at Harrisburg Area Community College. He and his wife, Diane Smith Wallace, shared 50 years of marriage until her death in 2018. They had one daughter, Emily Elizabeth Xinyu Wallace.

In 1974, Terry heard Lewis Benson speak on the message of George Fox in a student apartment. As Terry listened, the words “Truth happens like this” rose and grew in him. Terry joined Lewis and others in the work of the New Foundation Fellowship, a group of Friends in Britain and America that preaches Christ’s presence as teacher and leader. He edited the group’s periodical, Foundation Papers, for more than two decades and traveled to give New Foundation talks and lectures. Terry was a central figure among New Foundation workers, quietly persistent, always prudent, deliberate, conscientious, and helpful.

Terry edited A Sincere and Constant Love: An Introduction to the Work of Margaret Fell (Friends United Press, 1992). In his capacity with Foundation Publications, he coedited and republished The Concurrence and Unanimity of the People Called Quakers (2010) and Strength in Weakness Manifest (2011), the journal of Elizabeth Stirredge (1634–1706). Other Foundation publications that he edited were None Were So Clear: Prophetic Quaker Faith and the Ministry of Lewis Benson (1996); QuakerPsalms: A Book of Devotions (2002) and Have Salt in Yourselves: A Book of QuakerPsalms (2010), both works of George Fox arranged into psalm-like structures; The Little Book on Judging (2013), based on the Scriptures and the work of Fox; and The Journal of George Fox (2015), a CD-ROM that contains the first two volumes of the 1831 eight-volume set of Fox’s writings. Terry helped to write and edit the book Traditional Quaker Christianity (2014), published by Ohio Yearly Meeting.

Terry was also a literary writer. He published several volumes of poetry: Beyond the Neat Houses Cheap Talk Built (1988), Raw on the Bars of Longing (1994), When the World’s Foundation Shifts: The RMS Titanic Poems (1998), and Sparrow Seed: The Franciscan Poems (2007).

He wrote fiction too, perhaps best remembered for Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut: The Life and Times of Amos T. Squirrel (2009). He mentored and supported growing writers as a teacher, editor, publisher, and friend.

Terry was recognized by Ohio Yearly Meeting as a minister in 2011. His exercise of gifts seemed effortless. He offered quiet advice and stern ministry as the situation required. He spoke powerfully and clearly for the simplicity of the Gospel. His vocal ministry was deep and challenging.

Terry was a member of Keystone Fellowship Meeting in Bird-in-Hand, Pa. He was a faithful supporter of Rockingham Quarterly Meeting as long as he was physically able to attend.

Terry devoted his life to the service of others. He was a gentle, patient man with extraordinary gifts in writing, vocal ministry, eldership, and clerking. He shared these gifts freely with others throughout his life. Terry was especially concerned with supporting those traveling in the ministry and their families. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure they were provided for.

Terry was predeceased by his wife, Diane Smith Wallace. He is survived by one daughter, Emily Wallace (Oliver Dang); one grandchild; and a sister, Susan King.