Freddie Jean Wheeler

Freddie Jean Wheeler passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on December 14, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born on December 31, 1931 to Helen and Pete Wheeler. She grew up in Odessa and in the sandhills on the family ranch near Kermit, along with her siblings, Pete (“Buddy”), Mollie Jo, Bobby, and Helen Joyce.

Freddie graduated from Odessa High School in 1949 where she was Miss Merry Christmas, Senior Favorite, and Miss Congeniality. She attended college at Ward-Belmont in Nashville then married James R. “Buzz” Hurt on October 5, 1950. She moved to Ratliff Ranch where they raised their four children, Mary Helen, Jay, Joe, and Sally.

Freddie organized countless meals for roundups and was well known for her hospitality. She always had a pot of beans on the stove and a cup of coffee ready for visitors. She never met a stranger. She went all out on birthday parties, holidays, and special events, and everyone loved to gather at her house. She loved music, especially the piano. Freddie had a green thumb. When she wasn’t taking kids to sports, dance, or their other many activities, she stayed busy in the yard, taking care of all her flowers or tending to the pool. She married Herbie Moore on June 2, 1978.

Freddie was preceded in death by Herbie, her parents, Helen and Pete Wheeler, her son, James R. “Jay” Hurt, Jr., her brother, Bobby Wheeler, her sister, Mollie Rice, and her grandson, Ben Heap.

She is survived by her children, Mary Helen Hurt, Joe and Sherry Hurt, Sally and Toya Bolton, and Vickie Hurt; her brother, C.O. “Pete” Wheeler, and her sister, Helen Joyce Bowers; her grandchildren, Dean Thiebaud, Cody Heap, Amy Hurt, Angie King and husband, Cliff, Jaymie Hurt, Natalie Watzl and husband, Andy, Stephanie Wright, Baylie Castillo and husband, Juan, Brody Bolton and wife Jessica, Bonner, Bolton, Brylee Bolton, Bridger Bolton, and Bliss Boyce and husband, Hawkins, and her great grandchildren, Chloe Heap, Adilynn Thiebaud, Sophie Robertson and husband Braden, Helen Pasternak, Presley Watzl, Reece Watzl, Weston Watzl, Mason Wright, Ellyson Wright, Madyson Wright, Kennedy Jo Castillo, Collyns Castillo, Trigger Bolton, Daniel Bolton, Gus Bolton, Zenna Bolton, Layton Richardson Bolton, and Birdie Boyce, and her long-time friend and caregiver, Betty White.

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation not only to Betty but also to Manor Park for all their years of special care and also to Midland Hospice for their help and support in the last few months.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 19, at 2 p.m. at the Bridge Church in Odessa.