Reverend Johnny Ray Wallace Sr.

Obituary For Reverend Johnny Ray Wallace Sr.

Reverend Johnny Ray Wallace Sr. (78) was born on July 12, 1947, in Rutledge, Alabama, to Johnnie and Iberer Bennett Wallace. He was raised in a loving home grounded in faith and strong family values, growing up alongside his siblings, Datie L. Wallace and Berer M. Shelton. At a young age, Johnny and his family moved from Alabama to Ohio. He attended and graduated from East High School in 1967.

After high school, Johnny began working at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Plant as a steel mill worker. Soon after, he answered the call to serve his country. From 1969 to 1971, he served in Da Nang, Vietnam, as a Supply Clerk with the HHC 1st Battalion, Medical Field SS, BAMC of the United States Army. In 1972, Johnny picked up the saxophone for the first time, sparking a lifelong passion that would become one of his most powerful ministries. After returning home from military service, he married Miss LaFaye Jenkins on May 17, 1973. He deepened his spiritual journey under the mentorship of Pastor Louis Childress and later attended Moody Bible College in 1978.

Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, Johnny started training in Kung Fu –Poekoelan-Tjimindie, in Campbell, Ohio. His skills progressed to the Red Sash “Golden Boy” which is equivalent to a black belt in Karate. He also played with several well‑known local soul and R&B bands, including Atlantis, Last Child, and Soul Odyssey. He collaborated with many of Youngstown’s most respected musicians, but his most treasured musical moments were those shared with his daughter, Stacey Jenkins‑Clarett, who often sang with him, and his brother, Datie Wallace, who played piano and organ.

Over the years, he became widely known across Northeast Ohio and parts of Western Pennsylvania for his gospel saxophone ministry. Every Sunday, he traveled from church to church with his “horn” in hand, offering heartfelt, soulful music and testimony. His most recent musical ministries included playing with Mr. Mike Forney at Alpha and Omega Baptist Church and with Mr. Dean Robinson at Grace Evangelist Temple Church, where he remained a devoted member until his passing. His theological studies continued, and he earned a degree in Black Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1996. In 1996 he became the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Professionally, Johnny worked for many years at Delphi Packard Electric in Warren, Ohio, retiring in 2001. After retirement, he earned his commercial driver’s license and later his CDL instructor certification. He drove and taught school bus operation for several companies, including Campbell City School District.

In 2025, he was publicly recognized and inducted into the Youngstown Ebony Lifeline Support Group Sports Hall of Fame. For the first time in the hall’s history, they recognized musicians. He was one of two musicians to receive this honor. It was a proud moment for him and his family.

Over the course of his life, Johnny was very well known for his DAD JOKES” and he had plenty of them to go around. He was always the “life of the party or gathering”, who loved life and people. He was very athletic and excelled in all types of sports. He was a huge chess savant. He was the local “gadget man”, that always loved new electronics.

Reverend Wallace peacefully entered eternal rest on April 6, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, music, service, and unwavering devotion to his family. He is survived by his loving wife, LaFaye Jenkins Wallace; his daughter, Tiffany R. Bryant (Alfred) of Twinsburg, Ohio; his son, Christopher L. Wallace of Youngstown, Ohio; and his sister, Berer M. Shelton of Youngstown, Ohio.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren—Johnny R. Wallace III of Youngstown, Ohio; Tanajae R. Wallace of Meadville, Pennsylvania; Christopher L. Wallace II, Kelis U. Wallace, and Anthony M. Wallace of Olmsted Falls, Ohio; and Colin A. Bryant, Kennedy R. Bryant, and Kendall L. Bryant of Twinsburg, Ohio—along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Iberer Wallace; his son, Johnny R. Wallace Jr.; his daughter, Stacey E. Clarett; and his brother, Datie L. Wallace. In this time of mourning, let us come together to pay tribute to a life lived with integrity, love, and service to others.

In honor of Johnny's remarkable commitment to God and humanity, a 10:00 AM public viewing will take place on Wednesday April 15, 2026, at Grace Evangelistic Temple Church, 2214 Mahoning Ave, Youngtown. The Celebration of Life services will begin at 11:00 AM with Apostle C.M. Jenkins, Sr. as the officiant.

Following the committal ceremony, replete with military honors performed by the United States Army, he will be laid to rest among the serene estates of the Tod Homestead Cemetery, Youngstown. Rev. Johnny Ray will be deeply missed but forever cherished in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Reverend Johnny Ray Wallace Sr. elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.

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