James Wallen, Sr.

James Enos Wallen, Sr., a man of many names, aka Jim, Weinnie, Dad, Pop, Granddaddy, Ol’ Man, began his next journey on November 25, 2021.  He will be greatly missed by his daughters, Angel Mason (Matt), Carolyn Ginn (Rob), Chelsea Carlson (Amanda), his beloved nephew Joe Duck (Amy), 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Martha Hicks Wallen, his son, James (Jimmy) E. Wallen, Jr., his daughters, Michele Wallen and Victoria Mitchell, his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Willie Wallen and his brother, Sherrill (Pudden) Wallen.

For those who knew him as only an impatient, strong-willed, super stubborn, quick-witted and sarcastic man were not lucky enough to also know his kind, compassionate, hard-working and proud side.  He was extremely proud of his wife and family and was also proud to have served his country.  He was a very trusting soul even to his detriment.  He was resilient with the ability to bounce back after tragedy.  He fought fiercely while disguising his struggle to protect those who loved him.

He would have traded any one of us for a lifetime supply of Edy’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or Milky Way candy bars.  He also loved dogs, dancing, coins, guns, cars and his grandchildren when they were quiet.  He loved visits from family and looked forward to seeing us walk through the door as he couldn’t hear us because he refused to wear his hearing aids.  In earlier years he enjoyed researching, drawing and painting family Coat of Arms.  As a younger man he loved to be sharply dressed, down to the cuff links and tie pins.  The only time he wore socks was when he was dressed to impress.  He despised socks especially the yellow hospital socks which he couldn’t seem to lose, even though he tried.

For the last year his love for the Spring Arbor of Salisbury staff grew, and he boasted “They are so good to me.”.

We would like to share some of his favorite quotes:

“Pssssshhhhhh”; “I don’t know” (Our most hated quote); “Pull my finger”; “B-R-5-4-9”; “Are you writing a book?  Leave that chapter a mystery”

In closing – a poem from our father …..

“To my dearest dear, but not my reindeer

As I pick up my pen, but not my pig pen

To drop you a line, but not a clothes line,

Hope all is well, but not too deep a well,

Yours truly.”

Jim, Weinnie, Dad, Pop, Granddaddy, Ol’ Man

A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Jefferson Davis Hwy, South Chesterfield, VA 23834, with Fr. Ernest Bulinda officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, and also from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at St. Ann Catholic Church. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.