Grace Mikel Wallace better known as Marvelous Mickey, to anyone meeting  her for less than a minute, passed away October 5, 2023, with her loving family around her.  She was born May 7, 1936, in Augusta, Georgia, to William Augustus Wallace and Grace Corley Wallace Lanier.

Mickey grew up in Savannah, Georgia and graduated from Savannah High School in 1954.  She was highly adventurous in her early teen years, even riding her bicycle alone to Augusta, GA before being escorted to a sheriff's office to await the parents. She joined the Navy WAVES in 1954 and left for Brunswick, Maine for training as a communications operator specializing in Morse Code.  She was very proud of her service at a time when military service was not common for women.  After her four years of service she was accepted at Columbia University but returned to Savannah and attended Armstrong College.  It didn’t take her long to start her career in broadcasting as copywriter, director, producer with numerous voiceovers in radio and TV working at WSAV, WSGA,WZAT, WTOC. She loved the television and movie industry and lived in San Diego and Hollywood In the 60’s and 80’s.

She created many unique advertising slogans such as Madman Geriner for her brother-in-law, who owned Savannah Motor and Brake, “Things Come in Mall Packages,” and “It Never Rains” on the Oglethorpe Mall wall.  From 1980 -1986 she opened and co-owned Images, The Advertising Group.  She was a give back person helping with Hospice Savannah and she always had a soft heart for animals. The Humane Society of Greater Savannah was the primary benefactor with community messages like Sherlock Bones and Paws Cause.

Mickey lived at Rivers Edge Senior Living facility for 14 years. She greeted  everyone moving into the facility as well as keeping them entertained during her “Mondays with Mickey “. 

When we say greet, it was often perceived as a strange encounter since she was always to be the center of attention and she let everyone know this. However, she was a great comfort to many people who were making difficult life changes. She was adored and will be missed by everyone, staff included.  She was proud of Savannah and Tybee and loved educating the fortunate people who would attend her performances and bus rides.

In Mickey’s words, “All that I have or have had are the results of the many gifts given to me by my Lord and Savior, my faith in God, the blessing of my amazing family. It’s been an amazing adventure. This life of mine….and I leave it when necessary with a broad grin, dimples showing, mother’s hair that I often awoke adorned with and so much love and appreciation soooo broad that I cannot begin to verbalize.”

She is predeceased by her mother Grace Corley Wallace Lanier, stepfather Bill Gundy Lanier, father, William Augustus Wallace and her brother-in-law, William “Bill” Geriner.  She is survived by her sister Linda Wallace Geriner, brother William “Billy” Lanier, sister-in-law Gail Means Lanier, her niece Karen Geriner Robertson (Ted), nephew Clay Geriner (Holly), niece Kristin Geriner (Wes Davis), niece Sarah Lanier Schumm (Kurtis), niece Kacey Lanier Huber (Corey) many great nieces and great nephews and her feline children, Little Boy and Kitty Kitty.

Her family wishes to thank her second family at Rivers Edge, her medical team of doctors, her caring nurse Alvin, her CNA Veronica from Hospice Savannah, and her caregiver Stephanie.

There will be  a private family graveside service which will be held at the National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC at a later date and a future celebration of life at Rivers Edge. 

Remembrances can be sent to the Humane Society of Savannah, Hospice Savannah or charity of your choice.