Ann Wheeler

Virginia Ann Ferry Wheeler was born November 30, 1932 to Ralph and Jean Elliot Ferry in Muskogee, Oklahoma. On the day she was born, a snowstorm blanketed Muskogee and the doctor had to walk to her home on 9th Street to deliver her. Ann died of complications from COVID-19 on December 31, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital, Muskogee. Ann attended Franklin Elementary School, West Junior High School, and graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1950. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She married her high school sweetheart, Louis Wheeler, on October 10, 1953. Louis and Ann lived in Texas, California, Florida, and Germany during his 12 years in the Air Force. It was during this time that she was blessed with four sons. In 1964, Louis, Ann, and their sons returned to Muskogee. Ann worked as the Office Manager and Pastor’s Secretary at First Baptist Church for 25 years, retiring on April 15, 1995. Ann had many hobbies including basket weaving, crochet, embroidery, quilting, and gardening. She loved music and sang for many years in the FBC Choir. Louis and Ann loved to travel in their RV and a highlight was a two-month trip to Alaska in 1999. The following year, she required brain surgery for a ruptured aneurysm. She was left paralyzed on her left side and partially blind for the remaining 20 years of her life. Although she was severely physically restricted, she continued to garden and faithfully served her church by creating and maintaining an email prayer chain that reached nearly 300 people. Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Louis Wheeler, son Mike Wheeler, and great-grandchildren, Clara Howard and Matthew Marcinkevicius. She is survived by her sons Cliff and wife Brenda, David and wife Jermaine, Kenneth and wife Denna all of Muskogee. Grandchildren Melissa Daly (Joe), Lisa Marcinkevicius (Scott) of Muskogee, Elizabeth Howard (Billy) of Coweta, Lawrence Wheeler (Kenzie) of Marlow, Winston Wheeler of Willowbrook, IL, and Rachel Wheeler of Oklahoma City. Great-grandchildren Josh Daly, Ava Ann, Garrett, and Tana Marcinkevicius, Whitney (Tyler) Starkey, Wyatt, Aaron, Jacob, and Trenton Howard, Evelyn and Emilia Wheeler. Great-great grandchildren Braydon and Kennedy Starkey and Grayson Marcinkevicius, brother Pat Ferry (Betta) of Little Rock, Arkansas and niece, Alicia Ferry Larkin of Addison, TX. A private family ceremony to honor Ann will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church in Muskogee with Paul Bowman officiating. Since there will be no public service due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the service will be live-streamed via the FBC Facebook page and website. A family burial will take place immediately following.

Ann Wheeler

November 30, 1932 - December 31, 2020