Shirley Mae (Ham) Wheeler “Nina”, 85, of Tulsa peacefully passed away with her family by her side on September 17, 2022. She was born in Forum, Arkansas on February 2, 1937, to parents Ray and Edith Ham.
Shirley graduated from Huntsville High School in 1955. She continued her education and received her registered nurse certification from Hillcrest Nursing School in 1959.
She was married to Jim Bryce Wheeler on September 12, 1959, in Forum, Arkansas.
Shirley worked in the surgical unit at Hillcrest Medical Center for most of her career and finished out her last 10-15 years in same-day surgery. She retired in 2007.
She was an active member of Tenth and Rockford Church of Christ and had a passion for teaching bible class. Shirley and her lifelong friend Carolyn Coday “Honey” taught vacation bible school together every summer for 40-50 years. She was a true example of what it meant to be a Christian woman.
Shirley is survived by two daughters Maresha Scarsdale and husband Kevin of Broken Arrow, OK, and Melinda Stratton and fiancé Ken McCarty of Hinton, OK, her grandchildren Sarah Brown and husband Daniel of Broken Arrow, OK, Nathan Scarsdale of Broken Arrow, OK, Bryce Stratton of Bartlesville, OK, Emma Stratton of Oklahoma City, OK, and Zoe Stratton of Edmond, OK, 5 great-grandchildren Parker Brown, Atticus Brown, Prudence Brown, Cash Stratton, and Emma Chidester, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim Wheeler, sister Inez Ditmore and husband Lee, and parents Ray and Edith Ham.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Tenth and Rockford Church of Christ, 829 S Rockford Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.
Shirley will be laid to rest following the service at Marshall Cemetery in Forum, Arkansas at 4:00 PM.
Serving as pallbearers are Bryce Stratton, Nathan Scarsdale, Kevin Scarsdale, Parker Brown, Atticus Brown, Ken McCarty, Daniel Brown, Eric Jameson, Randall Ditmore and Craig Campbell.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Wheeler "Nina" family.
