Wallace J. Sibley, Sr.

Wallace Jerome Sibley, Sr., the 3rd oldest child of Peter and Ernestine Sibley was born on June 30th, 1938 in Mushbluff, GA.  Wallace’s oldest brother PJ describes him as destined for success as a young boy because of his enthusiasm for learning.  Wallace began his elementary years at the Camden County Training School in St. Marys, GA.  He has wonderful memories during his 7 grades of school studying his favorite subjects of English and Literature. Wallace fondly remembers his annual school closing carnival and play, in which he participates in acting and singing roles as a Cowboy with a toy gun and a Marine soldier with a rifle made out of broomsticks painted black while singing "From The Halls Of Montezuma." Afterward, he transferred to Ralph Bunche High School in Woodbine, GA.,  where he was a softball team member as a catcher. There wasn't a baseball team at the school but Wallace could play center field very well. He recalls his years of High School football playing defensive and offensive end.  Wallace continues earning athletic high school letters as a runner in track & field and sprinter. In addition to athletic sports, he was also in the school chorus, being one of the favorites to sing the tenor solo at school concerts, special events, and school meetings when all the lower division segregated schools of 300 - 500 students in the state of Georgia would come together. Savannah High School was one of the largest with its school enrollment of 1000 black students.  The memories of traveling long distances on a school bus to towns like Dublin, GA before highways or expressways with his favorite teachers.  Wallace graduated from Ralph Bunch High School in 1955, where he played wide receiver in football and catcher on the softball team. Before marriage, Wallace served as a young airman for his country in the United States Airforce at the McDill Force Base in Tampa, FL. In addition to his military administrative duties with the Accounting department, he was known by his coworkers and servicemen as an accomplished singer. After completing his military duties, Wallace worked delivery for the Gilman Bag Plant in St. Marys, GA., but desired to enroll in college. After the birth of his 1st child and oldest son, Vincent  “Vince” Jerome Sibley, Wallace gave his heart to Jesus Christ and began his journey in God's Ministry.   A year later, Wallace met and fell in love with Dorothy Mae Herring. The two were married on August 23, 1964.  There are four children in this union.   Vincent, Wallace, Jr., (nicknamed “Sib”)  Kevin, and Anita, his only daughter.   In 1969, Wallace graduated from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL with a Bachelor Of Science Degree in English.  Wallace began his professional career as an English teacher and Assistant Dean Of Boys at the recently segregated Ribault High School in Jacksonville, FL., while continuing his college education toward earning a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Florida Agricultural Mechanical University "FAMU."After graduation, he accepted the position of Assistant Principal at John Gorrie Jr. High in Jacksonville, where he served as Dean Of Boys until 1977 before resigning and entering into the ministry full-time. More family history on Dorothy Herring Sibley can be found by clicking the Smith/Herring/Stewart Family website button.