Edith Kerby Wheeler

Edith was born on May 22, 1927, to the late Hugh and Vera Kerby of McNairy County, Tennessee. She was raised in Madison County, attended Medon Elementary School and graduated from J. B. Young High School in Bemis TN. She married Ed Wheeler on February 17, 1945, and they enjoyed 62 years together until his death in 2007.

Edith was a homemaker and raised four children with Ed. She was always involved in their school activities and the PTA. After the children left home, Edith enjoyed traveling with Ed for his work. In 1972 they moved to Palatine Illinois for six years and then to Overton Park Kansas in 1985 until 1989, then returning to Jackson. Edith enjoyed both cities and made many friends along the way.

Family gatherings were important to Edith, especially Christmas Eve at her house with all of the children and grandchildren. After a meal of her famous Chicken Curry, the grandchildren presented a program, Ed read the Christmas story from the Bible, and everyone sang The Twelve Days of Christmas. Only then could gifts be opened. This tradition went on for many, many years.

Golfing was a favorite pastime for Edith for many years. She and Ed enjoyed golf trips with their friends in the West Tennessee Seniors Golf Association. They also enjoyed playing bridge and regularly hosted their bridge club friends. In later life, Edith began painting and left a legacy of many beautiful paintings for her family.

Edith trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was an active member of a Baptist church wherever she lived. In Jackson, she was a member of First Baptist Church.

Edith is survived by her son, Danny Wheeler and wife Beverly of Jackson TN; eight grandchildren, Anna Maggard of Nashville TN, Kerby Wheeler (Rhyan) of Lafayette LA, Heather Pritchard (Brett) of Fairhope AL, Molly Armour of Cadiz KY, J.B. Clark (Tyra) of New Iberia LA, Jessica Clark Fisher (Christian) of Shreveport LA and Chase Wheeler of Jackson TN; and 16 great grandchildren, Macy Maggard, Audrey, Eloise and Lucy Wheeler, Shea, Weston, Waylon and Anna Grace Clark, Reed Lott and Scarlett Fisher, Lily, Rose Mary, and Daisy Blankenship, Tristen and Warren Armour, and Brandon Armour II and sister Vera Jane Kennon of Ozark Mo. Preceding her in death were her husband, Charles E. “Ed” Wheeler, daughters, Jan Armour Faulkner and Lisa Clark, son Charles E. “Edwin” Wheeler, Jr, grandsons Brandon Armour and Bruce Armour, great-grandson James Bruce Clark IV and siblings John R. Kerby, Charlie Kerby, Geraldine Wallace, Irene Bolton, Bill Kerby, Ann Harris, Tom Kerby.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of the VA Nursing Home in Humboldt for their kindness and excellent care given to Edith while she was in their care.

Services for Mrs. Wheeler will be at the George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home on North Highland Ave. on Friday December 2, 2022. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with the funeral to follow at 12:00 P.M. A private entombment will be at the Highland Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation or Gideons International.

The Pallbearers are Kerby Wheeler, JB Clark, Brett Pritchard, Christian Fisher, Tristen Armour, and Chase Wheeler.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Wheeler family.