Joseph Nesler Wallace, Sr., 80, passed peacefully on November 20, 2024, at Flo and Phil Jones
Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Joe was born April 8, 1944, in Paragould, Arkansas, to his parents, the late Leola and Elvis
Wallace. He lived in Paragould most of his life and became a trusted businessman who knew
most everyone in town. From the time he was very young, he was interested in the car
business. He opened his doors as Joe Wallace Auto Sales in 1958 when he was just 14 years
old. He was a wholesaler for 26 years and changed his business to a retail operation in 1984,
continuing in the same location for 66 years. Joe was a former board member of AIADA
(Arkansas Independent Automobile Dealers Association) who helped to shape the policies
based on “recognizing the duty of integrity and fair dealing toward the general public.” As past
president of AIADA, Joe worked to help other dealers serve their customers well. He fulfilled his
lifetime goal of becoming a successful car dealer, bringing several family members into his
business over the years.

Joe was a faithful Christian and member of Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death are his parents, the mother of his children, Bettye Leisure Wallace, sons
Shane Wallace, Brian Pieri, and Chan Pieri, sisters Marion Louise Sheffield and Rosalie Waters,
and brother Billy Howard Wallace.

Survivors are his wife Sandra Wallace, daughter Kimberly Pieri-Smith and fiance Eddie Taylor,
son Kent Pieri and wife Cheri, daughter Tabatha Horner and husband Chris, son Joseph (Bud)
Nesler Wallace, Jr. and wife Jeani, daughter-in-law Machelle Wallace, stepsons Mike Hampton
and wife Lisa, Chris Hampton and wife Christi, grandchildren Blake Pieri, Skyler Pieri, Kyle Pieri,
Nicholas Pieri, Kristie Pieri, Hunter Wallace, Summer Burns, Brittany Banks, Shayna Poindexter,
Kirsten Ditto, Jennifer Cooper, Miranda Hightower, Letha Moore, Isabel Wallace, Sophie
Wallace, Natalie Horner, Anna Horner, Blake Hampton, Blair Hampton, Jared Smith, Christopher
McKinness, Joey Edgar, and Sadie Edgar. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and
great-grandchildren who loved him dearly, and a multitude of friends.
Honorary pallbearers are Blake Pieri, Skyler Pieri, Nicholas Pieri, Kyle Pieri, Hunter Wallace,
Brett Banks, and Michael Poindexter. Visitation will be Sunday, November 24, 2024, 1:00-3:00
p.m. at Brown’s Chapel Baptist Church, with a memorial service following at 3:00 p.m.
Reverend Dale Noe will officiate. Private burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E.
Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401, https://www.stbernards.info/foundation/donate-online/, or the
Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/YouthRanches.