Fannie W. Wheatley

A Time to be Born…FANNIE WOOTEN WHEATLEY, the daughter of the late Annie Wooten-Webb, was born on June 22, 1929 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Fannie was the seventh child (and the fourth daughter). A Time to Die…Fannie quietly and peacefully made a victorious and triumphant entrance into the presence of God on the morning of Friday, May 9, 2014 following a challenging illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Wardell Wheatley; three brothers, William Gray, Bryant, and Ernest (“Bud”); and four sisters, Beatrice, Nannie Lee, Rosa and Mary Ruth. A Time to Build…Fannie accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age and became a member of the Washington Branch Baptist Church, Macclesfield, NC, where she was an active member of the choir and Missionary Board. In 1951, Fannie graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Pinetops, NC. After graduation, she moved to Baltimore City to join other family members and seek new job opportunities. Fannie first worked as a waitress and cook at Reed’s Drug Store and worked 25-plus years as a Residential Health Aide for the Rosewood Center for individuals with developmental disabilities. She initially joined Mt. Hebron Baptist Church and later joined Siloam Freewill Baptist Church founded and pastored by her brother, Reverend Ernest Wooten, Jr. in 1961. A Time to Love…Fannie was united in holy matrimony to Wardell Wheatley in September of 1956. God blessed them with their daughter Denise whom Fannie loved unconditionally. She was a devoted parent who endeavored to help Denise become positive, caring, wise and well-educated; one of Fannie’s proudest moments was Denise’s graduation from Howard University in 1981. She was known to impart her wisdom and knowledge to other family members, friends, and acquaintances. Fannie loved shopping and wearing stylish suits, dresses, shoes and hats. She had the ability to make strong connections with everyone she met and had a deep desire to help people live their best life. She loved cooking for any occasion (Church programs, holidays, birthdays, funerals) and understood the enormous value of mealtime fellowship among family and friends. Family was very important to Fannie and she had unique relationships with each of her sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren as well as those she “adopted” as her own. Along with her sister Mary and niece Bettye, Fannie was an original member of the “Social Twelve,” and enjoyed traveling and hosting events with this group of family and friends. A Time to Share…Fannie had a giving spirit and was known for her generosity and hospitality. For over 40 years, Fannie was an active member of the Siloam Freewill Baptist Church serving as a Trustee and President of the Senior Choir. She also co-led a food distribution program that has provided food and clothing to hundreds of West Baltimore families for over 15 years, garnering the church recognition from the Maryland Food Bank. Fannie was always known to help those in crisis by bringing them food, other essentials and words of encouragement. Fannie was also active in her neighborhood through the Wilson Park Northern Neighbors Association and was known for her gorgeous garden. She enjoyed hosting out-of-town family and making delectable “down home” feasts. Fannie was instrumental in helping to establish the Wooten-Thigpen Family Reunion, a reunion that is now in its 30th year. A Time to Say Goodbye…Fannie leaves to cherish her memory: a daughter, Denise (Richard); a step-son, Andre, Sr. (Brenda); four grandchildren, Richard DuBois, Malcolm, Andre, Jr., Anthony, Patricia, and Crystal; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Rena Mae Wooten and Mattie Fields Wooten; a beloved nephew, Fleming Wooten (Effie); a host of other relatives and many devoted friends.

Tributes

Fannie W. Wheatley

June 22, 1929 - May 9, 2014