Lowndes County prosecuting attorney Steve Wallace died at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle Thursday afternoon following a short illness. He was 70.
Wallace’s family announced on social media earlier this week that Wallace had been diagnosed with Stage 4 liver, stomach and esophageal cancer.
A Caledonia resident, Wallace graduated from Mississippi State University and University of Mississippi Law School. In recent years, he had worked as a defense attorney before being elected county prosecutor in 2019.
Trip Hairston, president of the board of supervisors, called Wallace “a gem of a fellow” and said he would be sorely missed.
“He was always kind, always considerate of other people, always had a funny quip to say … and always had a good demeanor about him,” Hairston said. “He never really got upset about much and was always doing good work. We’re going to miss him and he’s going to be hard to replace.”
Wallace also served as chair for the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board of trustees for the last two years. CVB Executive Director Nancy Carpenter said she has known Wallace since they were both at MSU together and said he was always involved, attending community events and being actively involved with MSU and Columbus Air Force Base.
“Even though he had experienced health issues over the last year he still had joy,” Carpenter said in an email to The Dispatch. “He was very caring and considerate of others. When you knew he was not feeling well, his thoughts always were for others. … Visit Columbus (CVB) has lost a great friend, partner and advocate.”
Hairston said supervisors will appoint an interim county prosecuting attorney until a special election can be held in November.
Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home and Crematory is handling Wallace’s funeral arrangements.
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