WHEELER, Reba Hare

Reba Hare Wheeler, 97 of Narrows, passed away on Friday, May 8th, 2015 at the Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg. She was born in Narrows on December 8th, 1917, and was the daughter of the late James Andrew and Mary Carol Beamer Hare.  In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Erroll Wheeler, Sr.; a brother and sister-in-law, James Andrew and Helen Cartwright Hare; and her special aunt and uncle, Dona and Will Ritenour. Reba was in the Presbyterian Church and, and after her marriage later became a Methodist.  She was a lifelong gardener.  She loved her family and encouraged them to be their best. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, James E. Wheeler and Sue of Pembroke, William Benton Wheeler and Erica of Narrows; and a daughter, Karen Kay and Richard Weaver of Bridgewater, Virginia; grandchildren, Bill Wheeler and wife Karen of Roanoke, Chad Wheeler and wife Rachael of Riner, Powell Wheeler and wife Erin of Clyde, North Carolina, Natalie Thwaites and husband Eric of Pearisburg, and Kelly Shenk and husband Cory of Bridgewater; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Emily, Katie, Matthew, Sidney, Brady and Carter; a special niece and nephew, Mary Anne Hodges and Andy Hare; many loved nieces and nephews on the Wheeler side; her sisters-in-law, Ruth Stinson of Newport News, Rheda Wheeler of Narrows; and a brother-in-law, Russell Wheeler of Narrows. A graveside service will be held Monday, May 11th, 2015 at 11 AM at Fairview Cemetery in Narrows with Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the Fairview Cemetery Association; P.O. Box 136; Narrows, VA 24124, or to the Employees’ Fund at the Kroontje Health Care Center; 1000 Litton Lane; Blacksburg, VA 24060. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.