Mother Beatrice G. Terrell Wheeler

Mother Beatrice Gaynell Wheeler was born to James and Gaynell Terrell on March 3, 1925 in Ostrander, Ohio. At four years old, her parents, her sister, Naomi, and she moved to Oklahoma. She was educated in the Oklahoma school system, was a star basketball player, graduated from Bufford & Owens Beauty School, Oklahoma City, and worked several years as a registered beautician.

In the year 1943, Mother Wheeler met and married the man of her dreams, Herman Wheeler, Sr. in Denver, Colorado. They later moved to North Carolina and then to Illinois. Doctors told Mother Bea that she could not have children, but God spoke and seven miracle children were born. She loved her children so much, and her children loved and cherished her greatly! She will be greatly missed.

In 1961, the family moved to Lynn. She attended and graduated from Essex Aggie School of Practical Nursing. She then worked at Lynn Hospital for 23 ½ years before her retirement in 1989.

Mother Wheeler was affectionately known as “Ma Wheeler” and had many spiritual children. She served the Lord for over 65 years at various churches in various positions, both local and statewide. She served as Church Mother of both her son’s and daughter’s churches: Late Pastor Thaddeus Wheeler (Imani Temple COGIC) and Pastor Gwen Wheeler (Cathedral of Faith International Ministries, Inc.

She leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, Herman Wheeler Jr., a retired Massachusetts Transit Police Lieutenant Commander and his wife, Lynette of Peabody and Michael Wheeler of Boston; three daughters, Ruth Foxworth of Revere and Gwendolyn Wheeler and Patricia Wheeler both of Lynn; one brother, David Terrell of Dover, OK; 4 sisters; Naomi Brame of Rockford, IL, Zelma Tasker of Denver, CO, Shirley Martin and her husband Herbert of Wichita, KS and Eloise Gray and her husband Tim of Midwest City, OK. Ma Wheeler is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and countless friends. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by two sons, Lynn Police Officers Thaddeus Wheeler and Sherwin Wheeler; her parents, James Terrell, Gaynell Terrell-Turner, and Bill Turner and three brothers, Orlando, Donald and Delbert.

Funeral Services for Ma Wheeler will be held on Friday at 11:00AM in the Zion Baptist Church, 4 Adams St. Extension, LYNN. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment Puritan Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be prior to the Service in Church beginning at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Cathedral of Faith International Ministries, Inc., 25 Exchange St. Lynn, MA 01902.