Joanne W. Wheat

Joanne Walsh Wheat passed away on Friday, August 21, 2020. Throughout her 91 years of life, she was a fun-loving, life-enhancing person for whom family came first and foremost…followed by her dogs. She was never happier than when she was spending time with her children, grandchildren and sons-in-law. They were the lights of her life and whether cruising, dining-out or cheering on her beloved Redskins, she was happiest in their company.

Much of Joanne’s earlier life was spent in Memphis, TN. An only child of beloved parents, she loved to ride horses and was active in USO events during World War II. She and her mother traveled often, piling into their car for driving vacations which were a bit daring for the time. She met her husband, George Wheat, an aviation executive, on a trip to Mexico where they bonded over an intense ping pong match. Married for 62 years, they spent the first third of their lives in Washington DC living an exciting life which included not only many memorable political events but the births of their three children, Lauri, Carolynn and George. Their middle third was spent in Avon, Ct, where Joanne fell in love with skiing. Every winter weekend, she would pile the family into a station wagon for a day of skiing and tailgating. Special weekends were spent with family and friends in Vermont at a spooky old farmhouse which provided beloved memories. Port St Lucie, FL was their last location and she grew to love walking on the beach with her dogs especially when a storm was brewing and whipping up the waves. From there, she and George set off on many European vacations and cruises but her favorite times were family visits. They felt so lucky to have Carolynn raise her family near them and privileged that George lived close by for so long. They traveled often to see Lauri where they watched more kid sports games than humanly possible. Joanne loved her grandchildren so very much and wished they had all lived next door. She was happiest when actively involved with all eight of them.

Joanne Wheat is survived by her three children: Laura Wheat Stroup, Carolynn Wheat Kelly and George Seay Wheat III; her two son-in-laws Richard Stroup and Patrick Kelly; and eight grandchildren: Richard Stroup, Jr, Robert Stroup, Clifford Stroup, Christine Stroup, William Patrick Kelly and his wife, Tonya and their two daughters, Zyia, and Aurelia, Christopher Kelly and his wife Amber, Katherine Kelly, and Mikaela Kelly.

Joanne Wheat was a woman whose smile lit your heart with happiness, whose spirit could lift you out of darkness, and who will be missed by any and all that knew her. Rest in peace sweet woman…we loved you so very much…your beloved family