Legacy of the Life

of

John Thomas Wheeler

John T. Wheeler was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 4, 1941 and entered into his eternal rest with his Lord and Savior on January 26, 2023 with his wife by his side.   John T. was an only child and he was proud to have been raised by his maternal grandmother, Katie Wheeler due to his mother's death when he was very young.

John graduated from Huntington High School and was very active and devoted to his alma mater and alumni association. He maintained regular contact with his school mates despite the distance that separated them through the years and he especially looked forward to their scheduled Zoom calls to catch up with how everyone was doing.

John T. had a very strong work ethic and he never did anything half way or half- hearted.  He was a nuclear electrician with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and he retired from the shipyard after over 40 years of devoted service.  This solid work ethic was also evident in his work for the Lord and his church.  John truly loved God, First Baptist Church East End (FBCEE) and his church family.  He faithfully served in the capacity of facility manager and Trustee.  Among the many other things that he enjoyed doing at the church, he served and participated in the following ministries: Tape/Media Team, Men's Fellowship, One Flesh, Twelve Baskets, and Hospitality Kitchen Crew.  He also once sang in the W.M. Brown Gospel Chorus and assisted with the Van Ministry.   John was also very dedicated to and remained very involved in his family church, Second Baptist Church, even after he joined the FBCEE family.

John had many talents and gifts and he could cook and fix almost anything.  He was well known for his fried fish and he was repeatedly requested to fry fish for many local churches, clubs, and organizations.  John loved his family, music, dancing, fishing, laughing, and just having fun.  He had a witty saying or phrase for every situation. He was a no-nonsense person with a big heart and he would quickly come to the aide of anyone in need.

John was a kind and loving person who was dedicated to loving his wife.  John was preceded in death by his parents, John Luck and Annie Wheeler and a brother of the heart, Plummer R. Perry.  He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Rev. Lotus Wheeler; three sisters-in-law, Victoria "Vicky" Hayes, Melvina (Eric) Robinson, Melanie Hayes; two brothers-in-law, Matthew Hayes and Melvin "Bro" Hayes; five God children, Kameran Hayes, Danita Hayes,  Arianna Barrett, Deborah Roundtree, and Reginald "Reggie" Perry; special cousins Lois Price and Lily (Terry) Lowe;  many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a host of other family and friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at First Baptist Church East End.  A viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.