Luella Wheeler

“Don’t grieve for me, for now I am free, I’ve followed the path God laid for me,My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch,Lift up your heart and share with me, for God wanted me and now I am free.” When the doctors at Sinai Hospital told the family that there no more that they could do for Luella, the family knew it was time to “Let Go and Let God!” She labored for several more days, before God let her “cross over into Glory.” It was in the quiet and serene morning hours of Saturday, December 29, 2001, when God answered her petition and dispatched an angel, at 4:23 a.m., to bring His beloved and faithful servant, LUELLA, to her Heavenly rest. Luella was born to the union of the late Dennis and Elizabeth Patterson, on January 22, 1913, in Appromatox, Virginia, where her parents raised her and her and her siblings in the protestant faith, at the First Baptist Church of Appromatox. Then when the moved to Baltimore, the entire family joined the First Baptist Church, where her parents served as Deacon and Deaconess Boards. Luella loved to sing and she served the Lord by singing on several of the church’s choirs. As a young lady, she traveled extensively, but she never forgot her promise to work in God’s vineyard and she joined a church, wherever she lived. Then when she returned to Baltimore, she resumed her membership at First Baptist Church. Later, when she and her husband moved from the Eastside to the West, she joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where she sang on the choir, until health prevented her form attending church, on a regular basis. In 1956, she married Carel Wheeler, who was loving and devoted to his very end. She and Carel were married 44 years, when he preceded her in death on April 27, 2000. Even though this union was not blessed with children, they were very fortunate to have many nieces and nephews, to whom she was affectionately known as “Aunt Sister.” Niece Barbara Isom kept close touch with the two of them through the years, and it was to Barbara that she turned when Uncle Carel died so suddenly. Barbara was out of the city a the time, so she asked great-grand nephew, Bernard Hardy, to go to Aunt Sister and comfort her until Barbara retuned. Bernard did just that, and he also made and executed the arrangements for Uncle Carel’s “Homecoming.” Uncle Carel had always taken care of “everything,” and now that he was gone, the Family stepped in to fill the void and to help Aunt Sister adjust to her new life, without her beloved Carel. Nephew James Tillery was appointed her Power of Attorney and handled all of her business affairs form that point on. Niece, Jean Henderson and great-nephew McCoy lived in her home and provided around the clock health care, so that she would not have to go into a nursing facility. Then when the doctors said that Aunt Sister would be going home for the last time, niece Barbara and her husband Isom brought her to their home, so that she could “wait for the Lord,” in the peaceful tranquility that she so richly deserved. Everyone, who knew Aunt Sister, described her as a sweet, kind and a loving Christian. If she could help someone, they had but to ask. She also loved dogs and cats and gave shelter and food to many of them. Even after she could no longer walk, she made sure that one of her nieces purchased their food and fed them. Additionally, her most admirable qualities were that she NEVER about anything and she always said, “Thank You,” for any and everything you did for her! Our hearts are deeply saddened, because we will miss her dearly, but rejoice and give Thanks and all praise to God, for keeping her in this life, “eighty-eight years” and we know that “Aunt Sister” is over in Glory, singing in the Lord’s heavenly choir! She leaves to cherish her sweet, precious memory: two nephews, James Tillery Jr. and Thomas Patterson Jr.” eight nieces, Josephine Howard, Elnora Nicholas, Curly Pryor, Doris Hardy, Jean Henderson, Barbara Isom, Freda Tillery and Toricella Mason; one niece-in-law, two nephews-in-law, and a host of great-nieces and –nephews, great-great-nieces and –nephews and cousins.

Tributes

Luella Wheeler

January 22, 1913 - December 29, 2001