Mrs. Wilma Bernice Hairston Wheeler, daughter of the late Bernice Clinton and Henry Harold Hairston Sr., was born on August 9, 1937 in Winston-Salem, NC. She departed this life on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 after an extended illness.

Wilma matriculated through the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Public School System, where she graduated from Carver High School in 1955. She later received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Winston-Salem State University and her Master of Science in Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. This was the dawning of her commitment to education, and an affirmation to her perseverant spirit and insurmountable work ethic.

Wilma was employed by the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System for 38 years, where she touched the lives of numerous children through her phenomenal educational instruction. After 38 years of service, in 1999 she retired as a teacher of distinction from Union Cross Elementary School. Wilma's passion for teaching was evident by her return to the classroom for an additional 10 years after retirement, to teach the children whom she so loved and adored.
As a staunch advocate of education and community service, she received numerous awards for her dedication to improving the lives of others. Wilma was a lifetime member of the NAACP as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Additionally, she was an active member of University Women, The Moles, Inc., Twigs, Inc., and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., where she served as President and Top Teens Advisor for many years.

Wilma was a dedicated and devoted member of Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church for over 40 years. She served as Secretary of the G.I.D.E. Auxiliary and a teacher for Vacation Bible School. Wilma also left her indelible mark upon the Christian Education Department, Anniversary Committee, Scholarship Committee, Beautification Committee, and Home Mission Society. Wilma's benevolent and caring nature is surpassed by none; her inspirational memory endures vicariously through all who knew and loved her.

She leaves to cherish her sweet memories, a loving and faithful husband of 56 years, Oliver Livingston Wheeler, Sr.; two sons, Oliver Wheeler, Jr. and Quentin (Sheila) Wheeler; and one daughter, Melanee (Brian) Mills of Winston-Salem, NC. Her legacy will continue to live on through seven grandchildren, Ashley Wheeler of Charlotte, NC; Kellie Wheeler, Gregory Wheeler, and Chase Wheeler of Los Angeles, CA; and Brandon Mills, Megan Mills, and Erin Wheeler of Winston-Salem, NC. She will be dearly missed by one sister, Bobbie Hairston Miller; and three brothers, Henry (Elizabeth) Hairston and Gary Hairston of Winston-Salem, NC; Larry (Sandra) Hairston of Durham, NC; one uncle, Henry Clinton of New York, NY; two sisters in-law, Montana Davis and Vonetta (Joseph) Brannan of Winston-Salem, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Celebration of Wilma's Life will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Goler Memorial AME Zion Church with Rev. George Banks officiating. Interment will be held at 10:00am Monday, December 24, 2012 at Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 1:30pm until 2:00pm on Sunday at the Church.

Wilma's altruistic spirit and passion for serving youth in need is manifest by the development of the Wilma H. Wheeler Scholarship Fund. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a contribution to the family may do so by making a donation to her scholarship fund. This can be done at any Wells Fargo Bank by asking to donate to the fund by name.
We appreciate your kind remarks, expressions of sympathy, and prayers for comfort during this time of bereavement. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Forsyth Medical Center and the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.