Maria Ferris Greene Wallace

Maria Ferris Greene Wallace, magical mother and beloved wife, daughter, sister, and educator, passed from this world on April 10th. Though she faced these struggles privately, Maria reconciled a 30-year battle with Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma steadily and with a rare fearlessness - never constrained by a diagnosis or perceived limitations. She leaves a legacy of kindness, courage, and boundless resiliency. She was 38 years old.

Maria was, simply, the kindest person. Born in San Antonio, Texas, she made a beautiful life with her family most recently in Mandeville, Louisiana. Like a wildflower, she flourished in every place she found herself, continually growing, adapting, and nourishing everyone around her. She was forever curious and driven by the belief that the world could be better and more inclusive. Whether personally or professionally, when there were limitations, Maria saw possibilities.

Maria was a dedicated professor and a true trailblazer of science and education. She had a unique gift of bridging the gap between academics and lived experience, inspiring students, friends, and colleagues alike to utilize multiple perspectives to shake the unshakable and reimagine human potential. As an Associate Professor at the Center for STEM Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, Maria launched projects like NExUS-MS (Nurturing Educators’ complex Understanding of Society & Science - Mississippi) and partnership with the Hattiesburg Zoo. Her passions integrated her community with the continually evolving landscape of education. A prodigious publisher, she worked on a plethora of peer reviewed articles and books in her career, one of which has been downloaded over 235,000 times in 4 years. Maria was a lifelong learner and proud alumna of Millsaps College (BS), Trinity University (MAT), and Louisiana State University (Ph.D.). She graduated from Madison High School in San Antonio and was a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient.

Maria was a devoted mother and loving wife, planting tenderness, imagination, and an inquisitive nature into her daughter, August. Limitlessly patient and intentional, she opened up the world for August, instilling in her the best qualities and preparing her for a bright future.

Maria is survived by her husband, Davin Wallace; daughter, August Wallace; brother, Mark Greene and his wife Mary and their son Miles; parents, John and Barbara A.F. Greene; and a large and loving extended family, who will carry her spirit of resilience and boldheartedness. She will be profoundly missed by all whose lives she touched and will be remembered as someone who made the world brighter and more possible.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 8am on Sunday, May 31st at Crosby Arboretum in Picayune, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Make-a-Wish or MD Anderson Maria Wallace Memorial or Girl Scouts.