For Alicia Elaine Wallace Reese, being a “daddy’s girl” wasn’t just a title — it was a treasured bond built on unconditional love, music, wisdom, and faith. In this heartfelt Father’s Day tribute for SwagHer Magazine’s Daddy’s Girl series, Alicia opens up about her late father, Elder Sylvester Lee Wallace Sr., a beloved gospel singer, devoted husband, and hard-working provider who passed away in January 2021. Alicia shares how her father’s powerful presence, passion for quartet music, infectious humor, and belief in her dreams continue to guide her path today. From her childhood in Cicero to her journey as a dedicated educator, mother, and Evangelist, Alicia’s life is a living legacy of her father’s spirit — one that still sings through every song she writes and every goal she chases.
Tell us about yourself.
I, Alicia Elaine Wallace (Reese), was born the fourth of six children, all born to Sylvester Lee Wallace Sr. and Bettye Jean Wallace (Rochelle, Antoinette, Sylvester Jr., Satina, and Arsenio). I became Alicia Elaine Reese on October 21, 2023, married to the most amazing man in this world, Duane Leon Reese II. I am the mother of two beautiful children — Mekaylove Greene and Kolby Wallace. I am also a proud grandmother of one grandson. I was born and raised in Cicero, where my father worked three jobs to give us the best of everything. I have been an employee of the Syracuse City School District for over 20 years. I am currently completing my Dual Certified Advance Studies in School Building Leader/ School District Leadership at LeMoyne College (The best college ever). I am headed to my Ph.D. in Education, but I am undecided about where I will attend. I am the NAACP Religious Affairs person for Onondaga County/Syracuse, NY (Honorable mention — Mother in love — Donna Reese), and also Evangelist Reese at the Great Grace Church under Apostle Rickey R. Montgomery Sr.
Please tell us about your Dad. What can you share with us about his personality, occupations and/or passions he had throughout his life?
Alicia: My father’s name is Elder Sylvester Lee Wallace Sr., and he was born on July 30, 1941. He passed away on January 13, 2021. He was loving — he knew no enemies. He always believed that no matter what people had done, they could change for the better. He loved the Lord. He loved to sing. He sang quartet music all of his life, usually in the bass voice, which is the lowest. He sang with 5 to Life, Sensational Saints, Spiritual Harmonizers, Gospel Cherubims, Pilgrim Gospel Singers, and supported many more groups. He navigated life’s situations through humor. He would cry when he was happy, and he would cry when he was sad, but he never let his family see any weaknesses in him. He loved Stacy Adams shoes and was a really passionate fisher. Daddy loved mommy — Bettye Jean Wallace and cared for her right up to the day he passed. Like all marriages, they had their ups and downs, but he would always say, “I may have been dumb, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew what I had at home, and there was no one like her!” This meant I made some bad choices, but she was my girl since high school, which was over 50 years ago, and I knew what I had at home. He was the realest of the real. Their marriage and their children never wanted or suffered for anything. We had the best of the best while growing up.
How does your father still influence your life today?
Alicia: Being a daddy’s girl was the best. Til this day, I still write music, I can fish, do everything but clean them (Eeel). I still hear him saying, “Lisha” (Although my name is Alicia), “You are a millionaire and don’t even know it.”
I literally have six children’s books to be released, one play, and five adult books, a host of original solo songs, and group songs. I write songs about my life, which my dad often did. He wrote a whole album and released it right before he died. I have one on Soundcloud called “Music to My Ears by Lisa Grace.” I am completing my fifth degree this summer in Certified Advanced Studies School Building Leader and School District Leader from LeMoyne College (The best college ever for nontraditional students). Headed to a doctoral program in Education with hopes of pursuing a long-held dream.
I am 53 years old and still have not stopped. That is how my dad has influenced me, he never stopped living and following his dreams — he was in the studio making songs in his 70s. “Lisha, you can do it!” I can still hear him say. I am determined that I must, I will, and I shall get all of my dreams and visions manifested to their entirety.
What are your fondest memories of your father?
Alicia: His quotes “You don’t believe a black cow gives white milk”, “I thought you was crazy, now I know”, “Stupid, dumb billy goats” (Trying not to cuss) when he was mad.
Is there a moment or story you find yourself returning to often?
Alicia: My fondest memory of my father is when he took me to get my hair done; that day changed my life. I was a really bad tomboy. I am talking sports, fights, pets… I was not afraid of anything. I was always with my dad, even from a young age, because my mom had just had my brother, Sylvester L. Wallace Jr., and then had me the following year. She was not a happy camper. Therefore, this was my dad’s way of helping her by taking me every time he took my brother somewhere. I used to always wear corn rolls, and I had no hair in the back. I had gotten the point that I didn’t want to wear dresses and was not feminine in any way. One day, I came home from school and my dad said, “Go put on a dress, you’re coming with me.” I was like “now he knows I don’t like to wear dresses”, but I saw the seriousness in his face.
I reluctantly put on a dress. He took me to a beautician he knew from his job. And “BAM,” I got a Jheri Curl! When I saw myself in the mirror, I had never seen such a beautiful girl. For the first time, I saw myself as a girl.
Ever since that day, I have worn dresses, and the dresses got shorter and tighter. He wasn’t happy about that part. (Laughing) I went from one extreme to another. What he did boosted my confidence (I have tears flowing). My dad put effort into showing me the beautiful, feminine girl that I truly was inside. When my son Kolby got kicked off the bus, he transported him to school for the rest of the year, but he also took him to McDonald’s every morning before dropping him off. I never could understand that. LOL. When my daughter would ask me if she could leave school early, and I would say “no,” she would call him and he would go and get her and take her to McDonald’s. He did the total opposite of everything I asked him not to do with my kids. But I get it now that I am a grandmother. If I could bubble and be there for him every day, I would.
How would you describe your relationship with your Dad? What made your bond special?
Alicia: I was my dad’s favorite. He loved us all, but they knew that I was his favorite. My dad and I shared an unbreakable bond. I could tell my dad anything and know that he would not judge me, nor would he give up on me. I could talk to my dad for hours. He loved to provoke me, not to anger me but to push me to do better. When he passed away, they found a birthday card in his truck that was inside the one I had given him the year prior, and the card said, “To my favorite daughter.” My sister, Rochelle, didn’t want to give it to me; she jokes about it. God knew I would need that. To know that for the rest of my life that I was his favorite. But I now understand, it wasn’t that I was his favorite — I was the neediest, the one who was always in trouble. I was just different from the rest of his kids. Til this day, my family always says, “You’re a weird cookie.”
What did being a Daddy’s Girl mean to you?
Alicia: To me, being a daddy’s girl meant he understood me when no one else could. He tried with everything in him to protect me from this world, which meant sometimes putting himself in danger due to poor choices in abusive relationships. My dad prayed with me and for me. He never gave up on me.
What do you miss most about him?
Alicia: His genuine fatherly love. His smile. Our family gatherings were at his demand; no matter who was married or how many kids they had, they had to come to his house for the holidays; Dad’s house was the home base. His mean jokes that hurt your feelings with truth that made you cry and laugh. Being there to pick up my broken pieces. To encourage me when I fall or make the wrong choice. He is the one who helped me face reality. I would not pay my bills because I knew my dad would pay them for me. He knew what was out there and the pain and suffering that came with it — those warnings changed my life. Honestly, I had to grow up when my dad passed.
What do you feel you still carry with you because of him?
Alicia: The awareness of the true and living God. Spiritual and natural gifts.
Is there a lesson or piece of wisdom he shared that continues to guide you?
Alicia: Musical inclination, ability to endure, persevere, and pursue my dreams at all costs. The importance of family.
If you could tell your Dad one thing this Father’s Day, what would it be?
Alicia: Dad, you pushed through six heart attacks and were on your third pacemaker. When you tried to pull that tube out on your deathbed, I knew you were tired. Sometimes I still think about that day and feel angry. I feel if you had pushed through, you would still be here. And I know I am selfish for feeling this way because I knew you were tired, not tired of fighting, but tired of knowing you had done all you could for not just me but for all of us. Your legacy lives, music is all in the veins of your grandchildren — well, except for Myles, but he preaches. I love you, Dad. You will always live in my heart. I will see you again…Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die — I will never forget that song you used to play to sleep. Dad sleeps well, my bestie.
What advice would you give to someone who lost their father and is struggling to navigate this new normal?
Alicia: In you lies half of the whole that helped to make you; therefore, you are him. Each copy made of him brought forth his best; Therefore, you are obligated to be the best portion of him and learn to be the best of what he could not be. Forgive him if you are grudging, hold no judgment. Know that it is okay to cry, and you will cry at the most rare times; let the tears flow. It’s okay to go see a counselor. Don’t take anyone for granted — Life is too short. And remember, even in death, there is a lesson.
How do you keep his memory alive today and honor your father’s life on days like Father’s Day?
Alicia: I love to go and decorate his grave. I used to have musical singing concerts, but I find that with six children, each of us mourns in our own way. Now we all come together and eat with our surviving mother, Evangelist Bettye. J. Wallace — his true love.
Read more Daddie’s Girls series.
