Isa Helen Wheat

Isa Helen Wheat, 89 passed away and welcomed into the arms of her Lord on October 9, 2024 ,in Murfreesboro, TN under hospice care at their daughter Pansy and Jimmy Olsen's home.

She was born on November 23, 1934, in Panther, West Virginia to the late Thomas and Rebecca Keene. She was preceded by the death of her brother, Harrison Keene and Loretta Turpin.

She resided in Panther, WV until her family moved to Bedford, VA at 13 years old. She graduated from New London Academy and lived in Bedford until 1959. During that time, she was reintroduced to her 4th grade classmate, Maurice Wheat, and they were married in 1956. They were married for 60 years until his passing in 2016. She and Maurice moved to Winston Salem where they attended college and he was instrumental in founding Calvary Baptist Church in Rural Hall, NC.  She worked in retail and developed her sewing skills. Their family moved to Roanoke Rapids, NC in 1972 where Maurice became the Pastor of Central Baptist Church faithfully for 44 years. She supported the ministries by teaching youth and Children's Sunday School class since 1959. While in Roanoke Rapids she worked in retail positions at Peebles Department Store until her retirement. She was a member of the local and regional Quilters Guilds and was recognized for her excellent skills and talents.  She went to Halifax Community College in her 60's and graduated with an associate’s degree in Interior Design at 69 years old. In her 70's she took piano and guitar lessons and enjoyed singing in the church choir.

She decided to move to TN with her daughter and son-in-law in 2019 where she resided until her passing.

She is survived by her siblings: Ruby Hough, Geneva Rackers, Elsie Landon, Bonnie Keene and Edward Keene; Her children: David and Suzanne Wheat, Sharon and Graham Taylor, Pansy and Jimmy Olsen and Joy Wheat and Mike Wolfe; her grandchildren: Emily and Jonathan Metcalf, Jamie and John Scahill, Jimmy and Chera Olsen, Benjamin and Karin Wheat, Amber McCoy, Charlie McCoy, Phillip and Taylor Wheat, Justin and Anna Olsen, Joshua and Ericka Olsen, Jordan Olsen, Jodie and Jared Herdman, Jay and Ashlynn Olsen, Wesley Pepper and 23 greatgrandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Steven Tondee officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:30 – 11:45 A.M. at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.