Ima Beth Wheeler
Ima Beth Wheeler (Mrs. J.T. Wheeler, Sr.), age 94, died November 22, 2005 at Spring Creek Manor in Beaumont. She was born February 8, 1911 in Sealy, Texas, daughter of Marion English Cook and Sophie Annie Curry.
Reared in Sealy, Groesbeck and Teague, she graduated from Teague High School and then went to Fort Worth to enter business school to help support her family during the depression of the 1930’s. Beth married James Tillman Wheeler, Sr. on June 2, 1934 and they lived in Fort Worth until 1955. In that year her family moved to Beaumont to continue her husband’s employment with Mobil Refining Corporation. While in Beaumont, Beth served as the school secretary at James Bowie Junior High School for eleven years.
Upon Mr. Wheeler’s retirement in 1967, they moved to Wildwood Resort City near Village Mills, Texas. Beth continued to live there after the death of her husband in 1985, surrounded by many friends until she moved to Beaumont in 1998. She was active in the Wildwood-Village Mills United Methodist Church where she served as the church pianist for many years. Beth also was active in the Wildwood Women’s Golf Association, the Wildwood Garden Club and Wildwood Civic Club.
She is survived by her son, J.T. “Corky” Wheeler, Jr. and his wife Beth of Beaumont; son-in-law, Richard Berry of Round Rock, Texas; two granddaughters, Wendy Piers and Victoria A. Wheeler both of Denver, Colorado; two nephews, Dr. Jim Wheeler of Borger, Texas, Dr. Terry L. Smart of San Antonio, Texas; two great grandchildren, Clason and Caden Piers. Beth is preceded in death by her husband, James T. Wheeler, Sr.; daughter, June Berry; two sisters, Marion C. Balun and Hortense Richardson.
A graveside service will be 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening November 25, 2005 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wildwood-Village Mills United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 332, Village Mills, Texas 77663-0332.
