Reverend Wheeler

Canton-Reverend Thara Acie Wheeler, age 94, of 162 Cold Creek Road in the Cruso community died Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at his residence.

He was a native of McDowell County and lived in Haywood County for most of his life. He was a son of the late David Cornelius and Harriett Blevins Wheeler and was married to Vaughtie Mae Allen Wheeler who died in 2000. He was also preceded in death by 2 sons, Gary and Roy Wheeler and a daughter, Inice Lucille Wheeler Smathers. He was a member of Bald Mountain Freewill Baptist Church in Burnsville of which he was a minister there for 24 years. He also ministered at several other churches during his 70 years in the ministry. Reverend Wheeler was a member of the French Broad Freewill Baptist Ministers Conference.

He is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Lillian and Paul Metcalf of Waynesville, Vernell and Randall Shuford of Asheville, two daughter-in-laws, Brenda Wheeler of Cruso and Judy Wheeler of Clyde, five sons and their wives, Howard and Birdell Wheeler, Gerald and Oveda Wheeler, Russell and Rita Wheeler, Alvin and Linda Wheeler, all of Canton and Earl and Patsy Wheeler of Clyde, a son-in-law, Keith Smathers of Canton, one brother, Mitchell Wheeler of Advance, NC, 30 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2004 Grace Freewill Baptist Church in Cruso. Reverend David Green, Reverend Eugene Duyck and Reverend Milton Hollifield will officiate. Burial will follow at New Cruso Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and the family wishes to invite any ministers that knew Reverend Wheeler to serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Canton. At other times, the family will be at Reverend Wheeler's home.

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