Barbara Ann Wheeler, age 81, passed away peacefully in her home in Brandon, FL on Sunday, April 12, 2020. She was born on October 22, 1938 in Andrews, NC, the daughter of Cecile (Kilby) and Harold Allison. Barbara was a graduate of the Tennessee School of the Deaf in 1958. She was employed by the Tampa Tribune in the Composing Room until her retirement.
She was a member and song leader at Inwood/Edwards Deaf Chapel in Winter Haven. She is a current member of Grace Bible Deaf Church in Temple Terrace where she was active in the music ministry and assisted with event until her health deteriorated due to dementia. She enjoyed cake baking/decorating, photography and collecting vintage glassware. An avid traveler, she and her husband traveled to 44 states over the years and cruised the islands. Barbara also visited Athens and Crete, Greece.
Preceded in death by her father, Rev. Harold Allison; her mother, Cecile Allison; brother, William Allison.
Survived by her husband of 61 years, J. Walter Wheeler; son, Paul (Maia) Wheeler; daughters, Suzanne (Richard) Branson and Marcella (Daniel) Tatro; grandchildren, Jose (Carrie) Gomez, Trevor (Melissa) Wheeler, Brittany (Corey) Brown, Danielle (Cody) Dowling, Gabrielle Tatro; Laura Branson, great grandchildren Annabelle, Lily, Selah, Royce, Emery, Aria, Adeline. Special recognition of nieces June Taylor, April Allison; Great Niece, Jayda, Jordan and April; Friends Rolando and Christine Gomez; Caregivers/Nursing from Bayada and Lifepath Hospice, Laury and Elva and the Hillsborough County Department of Aging.
Friends and family may pay their respects via a livestream service provided by Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, Brandon, FL, via Facebook live at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s honor may be made to Grace Bible Deaf Church or Lifepath Hospice. To access the Facebook live service please log on to the site at this web address at 6:30 to view the service... https://www.facebook.com/groups/3094696243920649/?ref=share
Service will be officiated by Rev. Ronaldo Feliciano and interpreted by Sonya Perez. Barbara will be laid to rest at the Walling family cemetery in Tennessee and officiated by Rev. Arthur Clayton.
