Betty Jane Wheeler

Betty J. Wheeler (Betsy), 93, of St. Simons Island, departed this life February 24, 2015 at Hospice of The Golden Isles. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2PM Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Christ Church with Father Rian Adams officiating. A reception to greet the family and share memories of Betsy will begin prior to the service at 1PM in the Parish Hall.

Born November 22, 1922 to the late Joseph and Henrietta L. Cooper, Betsy spent her early life in Grand Rapids, MI. Unfortunately, a serious illness necessitated a move to a warmer climate, so in 1942 Betsy moved with her older sister, Barbara, to Hollywood, FL. There she met a young Coast Guardsman, Noel Wheeler, and they were married on New Year’s Eve 1943. The next few years brought about several moves and the birth of a daughter, Julie. In 1949 Betsy, Noel, and their daughter moved to Miami Springs, FL. What began as a need to escape bad weather, eventually became a love of So. Florida that lasted the rest of her life. In 1956, Betsy and Noel welcomed their long awaited second child, John. Over the years, Betsy’s parents and her siblings, Bob, Barbara, and Kathy all made homes near her. In 1973 the family relocated to Atlanta but Florida eventually pulled Betsy and Noel back to its shores. In 1979 they moved to Boca Raton where they lived until moving to Brunswick in 2004 to be near their daughter. Although Betsy saw the need for the move, her first love was always FL and she often talked about a desire to return to the “palm trees and Florida skies.”

Betsy worked off and on over the years as a medical records clerk in hospitals in Hollywood, FL and in Atlanta, but her true vocation was that of a homemaker and a friend. Betsy loved people, and people loved her. She spent her life in service to others. Whether it was family, friends, people in her church, or total strangers, Betsy was always there with a kind word, a shoulder to lean on, and genuine caring and affection for those around her. Betsy enjoyed playing cards and hosting family gatherings. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren delighted her to no end. She loved shopping with her dear friend, Esta, and interacting with the small children in her neighborhood. She also loved traveling with her husband, Noel, whom she often accompanied on his business trips. And she most certainly loved her friends at College Place UMC, as well as the Bad Girls of the Bible study group at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick where she was a member until moving to St. Simons and joining Christ Church. Betsy was a kind, loving, and patient woman who touched the lives of everyone she met including her caregivers at Magnolia Manor, the Senior Care Center, and at Hospice. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include, her husband of 72 years, Noel Wheeler of St. Simons; a daughter, Julie Anne Lawing and husband Leonard of St. Simons; a son, John N. Wheeler of Atlanta; 5 grandchildren, Joseph McKinnie, Kathryn McKinnie Walters and husband Rob, Joanna Wheeler, Shannon Lawing Welch and husband Bryan, and Joshua Lawing and wife Chikako, as well as 3 great grandchildren, Sydney and Bryson Welch, and Noah Lawing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Church, Frederica and Hospice of the Golden Isles.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com