- Collection:
- Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection
- Title:
- Celebratio of Life For Opal Jean Wheeler, Sunrise July 29, 1942, Sunset August 4, 2017, Thursday, August 10, 2017, 11:00 am, Bethel Original Freewill Baptist Church, Senior Pastor, V.C. Speakman
- Date of Original:
- 2017-08-10
- Subject:
- African American women--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Funeral customs and rites--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral rites and ceremonies--Georgia--Atlanta---History--20th century
Funeral service--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Mourning customs--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta--Genealogy - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- church records
programs (documents)
records (documents) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Funeral program for Opal Jean Watts Wheeler. Birth date: July 29, 1942. Death date: August 4, 2017. Funeral date: August 10, 2017. Church: Bethel Original Freewill Baptist Church (Atlanta, Ga.). The Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection is a project of the Digital Library of Georgia in association with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History as part of Georgia HomePLACE. The project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
- Local Identifier:
- Folder number: 454
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:aarl_afpc_wheeleropaljean20170810
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:aarl_afpc_wheeleropaljean20170810
- Language:
- eng
- Extent:
- 1 page
- Holding Institution:
- Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
- Rights:
-
Always, Yourloving son,
Carl
:11ii'ihwvou willmissme too, When ~.PJeasetrv to understand Mtr:*""_...'W:IO and tookmeby the hand U'~Wasready, inheavenfar above toleavebehind, allftl.o3eI DearlyLove l(l,lll~tll.Heaven's Gates, I felt so much at home t;;}JJ :IOOt~cuoo"'m and smiled at me, from his golden throne
He said,Thisis Eternity, and all Ipromis;rl you Todayyourlife onearthis done, buthere itstarts a new
I pmireno tanonuw, for today will always last AndSi:n.:eeachday's the exactsame way, there isno longing for the pa5t
So When Tomorrow starts without me, do not think we're apart Forevery time you think ofme, remember fm right here in your heart
The Family of Opal Jean Wheeler would like to express our deepest appreciation to each of you who shared in our time. of bereavement.
Our sincere thanks for the many prayers, deeds, and acts of kindness. May the Lord continue to bless and keep you is our prayer.
The Men of Bethel Baptist Church
Carey Culbreath John Grant, Sr. Thomas Johnson, Jr Michael Murray Michael Williams
The Ladies of Bethel Baptist Church
The Usher Board of Bethel Baptist Church
Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc. 1876 Second Avenue I Decatur, Georgia 3003
July 29, 1942
August 4, 2017
Thursday, August 10,2017 11:00 am
Bethel Original Freewill Baptist Church Senior Pastor, V.C. Speakman
Music of Comfort
Processional
Scripture Readings: Old Testament New Testament
Prayer of Faith .... .............. ..... .. .... .. ............................ ....... Reverend Maynon Copeland Pastor, Greater New Harvest Baptist Church
Solo .. ... ..... .. ... ... ..... ........ .................. .. ...........................Ms. Gloria Watts (Sister-In-Law)
Reflections (3 minutes please) ................................................ Ms. Friendly Moss (Friend) Missionary Louethel Hardnett (Church Member) Ms. Frances Clark (Friend)
Family Reflections .......... ..... .. ... ... ...... .. .. ............................ . Mrs. Kiesha Jones (Niece)
Life Reflections ............................. ...... ............................ (Silent Reading of the Obituary)
Song of Comfort and Eulogy .. .... ........ ................................. Pastor V.C. Speakman Senior Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church
Acknowledgements ......................................................Mrs. Melody Watts Johnson (Niece )
Recessional
Interment
Lincoln Cemetery 2275 Joseph E. Boone Bou~evard, Northwest
Atlanta, Georgia
A Repast will be held at the church following the Intennent
The Life and Legacy of
CJ;xnJ(YUb~
Opal Wheeler, affectionately known as "Teen", was "number two" of four children and the oldest daughter born to the late Sarah and Charles Watts, Sr. in Atlanta, Georgia.
She was nurtured with her siblings in a home filled with love and laughter. Teen accepted Christ as her personal Savior as a child via confession and baptism at Trinity AME Church.
Educated in the Atlanta Public School system; Teen graduated from Archer High School where she established lifelong friendships and participated in many school activities.
Opal married Albert Wheeler, Sr. and to this union two strong sons were born; Albert Wheeler, Jr. and Stephon Carlton Wheeler. After her oldest son preceded her in death, she continued as a dedicated and supportive mother to Carl. Opal's work ethic and dedication could also be seen outside the home as an employee for over thirty years with The Lovable Company and as a private in-home care giver for over ten years. Later, she worked for Barton Security Company at the downtown Atlanta and Auburn Ave libraries. Her love for Christ drew her to join Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church where she worked faithfully and served as an usher and sang in the choir. Upon moving to Decatur, she relocated her membership to Bethel Free Will
Baptist Church. As a member of the Usher Board, the Women's Choir and the A.C. Speakman Choir, she continued to faithfully serve in the Lord's house until her health began to fail. Opal loved first, her Lord
and Savior, family, and church. She shared her faith and God's Word with family, friends, and others. She met few strangers and new acquaintances were made to feel they had known her for a long time. The sweet spirit that lived w ithin Opal never left her. Even when h er failing health limited h er activity, she never stopped smiling and encouraging others to "just keep on going". She has left us with beautiful memories, as we fondly recall the blessed time shared in this earthly life. To cherish her memory and that radiant smile is her devoted son, Stephon Carlton Wheeler; brother, Charles Watts, Jr. (Anniebell); sister, Linda Robinson
(Isaac); sister-in-law, Gloria Watts; granddaughter, Carlonda "Nikki" Woodard; grandson, Altavious Wheeler; loving nieces, cousins, extended family, friends, and church family. She was preceded in death by
her husband of many years, Albert Wheeler, Sr.; son, Albert Wheeler, Jr. and broth er, William Watts. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13