Taylor Funeral Home

Obituaries
Johnnie Viola Breeden Wallace
Date of Death or Service Jul 7, 2021
Johnnie Viola Breeden Wallace
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 Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from the Chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home. Pastor Dennie Boren, her grandson, Travis Plotzer and Tommy Marvin will officiate with Deacon Herman Grimes having closing prayer. Place of rest will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery in Humphreys County. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of service.
  Those desiring, memorials are suggested to the Dickson County Humane Society or to CASA of Dickson County.
   Mrs. Johnnie Viola Breeden Wallace also known by family and friends as "Nana" passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 3, 2021, at NHC Healthcare of Dickson.

 

 She was born November 24, 1929 to Clara Loretta Corbin Breeden and John L. Breeden in Humphreys County and raised in the Hustburg community. As a child she attended the one room Tribble school. She later moved to Flint, Michigan for a number of years before returning to her roots in Tennessee. While in Flint, Michigan, Mrs. Johnnie worked in the school system until her retirement. During these years, she met and fell in love with her late husband, Mr. Cliff Wallace.

 

Traveling was a passion of Mrs. Johnnie’s! She particularly loved warm, sandy beaches, the fast pace lifestyle of Las Vegas, the glory of Hoover Dam, and a simple trip to The Wildlife Refuge in Hustburg. Exploring with her family was what brought the trip to life. Mrs. Johnnie saw vacations as a way to grow her circle of love and bring diverse groups together, often, with a well-known, one finger wave that got everyone laughing.

 

Just pushing into her eighties, Mrs. Johnnie jumped at the chance to go on a cruise with her family. The trip alone would be enough of an undertaking for anyone nearing her age, but not Mrs. Johnnie. She decided it was time to smooth talk a group of college boys on spring break. She became their best friend and most popular lady on the ship. They would call out, “Nana!” any time or place they would see her. She and the boys had a plan to get Nana down the giant cruise ship water slide. The staff was a bit concerned to have an older lady fly down the water slide, but Mrs. Johnnie was excited. She grew her circle of love and with help from the “college boys” and her family Mrs. Johnnie accomplished her goals of adventure, friendship, and her favorite, laughter. 

 

It was clear Mrs. Johnnie kept those three important attributes when she began living at NHC. She became well-liked and quickly earned the nickname, “Johnnie B. Good”. By roaming the halls and helping anyone in need, her circle grew daily. Her “Love Language,” was Acts of Service and she showed it with her family and even strangers. She was known for teaching the new residents tips and tricks of their new home. She may have kept a few secrets up her sleeves regarding Bingo. She had a rather impressive winning streak that, surprisingly, only her friends on the staff could figure out. Friendly competition is what kept the times exciting with Johnnie B. Good.

 

 Her faith was most important to her. She was of the Baptist Faith and an active member of Faith Baptist Church in the Colesburg community. She loved the fellowship of the members and thoroughly enjoyed dinner on the grounds where she loved to eat and laugh with her friends and family. It was at NHC where she attended ALL the church faiths. She was a Baptist at heart but wanted to cover her bases by attending ALL denominations that came to NHC. It was no secret she had a deep love for her Savior Jesus Christ and her friends and family too! She made it known that she wants all her friends and family to join her in Heaven!

 

When she would be at a family gathering, church event, or party, she loved to be the center of attention and used that to help others. She believed acts of service are not only for humans, but pets too! It was at one party when she passed a hat for people to contribute to the care fund for her dog, Precious. The dog was in no means lacking care, but she wanted to make sure Precious had extras just like she had provided for her family.

 

Mrs. Johnnie loved salt; and nothing came between her and her salt—not even a restricted diet. When she would spend time in the hospital or nursing home, she would sneak in salt like an inmate sneaking contraband. She had family, friends, and sometimes nurses sneak in packets. She would hide them in vases, tissues boxes, and in the bedding. Johnnie was also sneaky about her medicine. If she didn’t like it or felt it might have been too much, she would fake taking it and discard it in her bed or trash can. She just knew the love she gave to her family and friends would be the same love she would receive, even when it came to salt. 

Mrs. Johnnie was able to entertain a full room by lifting one finger. From there she would bring out the joy in any and everyone just by being herself. She felt the love strangers were capable of giving and used that to create lasting memories and friendships between her growing circle of love. Mrs. Johnnie wanted everyone who met her to know they were more than just a friend so she would always end the conversation with, “Love you better,” which was felt more than heard.

 

She was preceded in death by her brothers: John H. Breeden, Sam Breeden, and O’Neil Corbin, Sisters: Otera Breeden, Eula Holloway, Polly “Pig” Stuart, Special Friends, Pat Murrell and Chuck Conner, and her beloved pets, Precious and Prissy.

 

She is survived by her son: John Brown and his wife, Debbie of Dickson, TN, her daughter: Doretha “Dee” Payne and her husband Randy of Dickson, TN, her grandchildren: Dennis Brown (Lynn) of Dickson, TN, Randy Brown of Dickson, TN, Tracy Atchison (Mark) of Dickson, TN and Travis Plotzer (Ashley) of White Bluff, TN, her great grandchildren: Dennis Brown, Jr., Brittany Brown, Justin Brown, Tanner Brown, Samantha Brown, Mia Atchison and Hudson Atchison, several Great Great Grandchildren, Special niece: Donna Wittrig (Rick), Great niece Isabella Wittrig. Special friends: Betty Connor, Georgia Orange, Tracey Prue, Sara Prue, Sierra Prue, Tammy and Carl Tidwell.

 

Her NHC extended family that cared for her present and past will please serve as honorary pallbearers.

 

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