Mary Wheeler's Obituary
Mary Ellen Wheeler passed away on May 29th, 2012 under the expert care of Wellstar Community Hospice (Cobb). Mary Ellen loved her family, her many friends, and her life. Graveside Service will be at 1:00PM on Thursday, May 31st at Westview Cemetery, 1880 Westview Drive in Atlanta (Section 27, Lot 1152). For directions go to westviewcemetery.com. No flowers please. Charitable donations can be made to Wellstar Community Hospice under Mary Ellen’s name.
Born in LaGrange, Georgia on April 18, 1927 the first of Frank and Ruby Allman’s six children, Mary Ellen lived a full and complete life. Growing up in Georgia (LaGrange, Hogansville, Atlanta), Mary Ellen quit school early in order to help her family (Parents: Frank & Ruby, Siblings: Fran, Bob, Ronald, Tommy, & Gary). Working in the asbestos mills during WWII, she fulfilled a “Rosy the Riveter” duty of which she was very proud. After the war she married James Nolan Wheeler, a WWII veteran and fellow Georgian (Canton, Atlanta). They were married for 53 years when Nolan passed away in 1999.
Mary Ellen and Nolan had three children: Ellen Rebecca (1948), Carol Faye (1950), and James Conway (1951). Ellen and Carol passed away shortly after birth. Mary Ellen, Nolan, and Jimmy spent their life together living in Georgia, England, Oklahoma, Japan, Florida, and Nebraska after Nolan rejoined the military. When they retired Mary Ellen & Nolan spent their final years together in Florida and Georgia. Mary Ellen would accompany Nolan on their many fishing expeditions. After Nolan’s passing, Mary Ellen returned to her beloved Atlanta (Austell) to be near her brothers, Ronald and Gary. Her son Jimmy (Arizona) and his wife Marilyn gave Mary Ellen three grandchildren Becky (Cameron), Kelly (Doug), & Patrick, and four great-grandchildren (Jameson, Charlie, Liberty, Lillian).
Mary Ellen was a consummate storyteller, card player, and bingo enthusiast. She had an amazing memory and could recall past events in vivid detail as if they happened yesterday. She could tell a story of every item in her possession, who gave it to her & when, and for what occasion. She loved her family and all of her many friends, and they loved her back. And love is the greatest gift.
A graveside service will be held at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 1 o’clock PM with Rev. Ken Ellison officiating. The family requests that no flowers be sent.
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