Mrs. Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler was born in Lumpkin, GA, on March 27, 1929, to the late Sammie Glenn Hudson and the late Johnny Floyd Hudson. She passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the age of 96 in Columbus. She had one brother, Johnnie Sam Hudson, and one sister, Mabel Hudson, who preceded her in death. She was married to the late Chester A. Wheeler, Jr. They had one son, Gerald.

Her love for education started at the Green Grove Elementary School, a one-room schoolhouse in Lumpkin, GA, where her mother was the principal. She graduated at 14 years old and went on to earn her BS in Business Education from Fort Valley State College. She then earned her master’s degree from Columbia University and her specialist degree from Georgia State University. She continued her advanced learning at Atlanta University and Auburn University.

She started her career in education as a Business Education teacher at Athens High School. She then moved back home and taught at Lumpkin H & I School, and this is where she found her true passion for counseling. After working at Albany State, and Knoxville College, she was hired by then Principal Dr. S.P. Charleston, to be the Director of Guidance at Carver High School. She would work at Carver for the next 29 years, retiring in 1992. Her love for Carver, the staff, and the thousands of students left an indelible mark on the school, the students, and the community. She was blessed to see the counseling department named in her honor when the school was rebuilt on “the Hill”.

Mrs. Wheeler was a faithful servant in both the community and her church. First African Baptist Church. Her community involvement was always people focused. She found purpose in helping others in all walks of life. In the community, she served as the first principal for the Concerned Citizens of South Columbus Tutorial Program. She served in various other community programs such as the Reading Tutorial Program at the Jack T. Rutledge Correctional Facility. She served on the Board of Directors for Historic Westville USA and was a devoted Docent at the Columbus Museum. She was a member of Jack and Jill of America, where she served as chapter President. She was honored as a Hidden Heroine by the Concharty Council of Girl Scouts and was also inducted into the Gracious Ladies of Georgia.

She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, where she recently celebrated over 50 years of sisterhood.

At First African Baptist Church, she served as a Deaconess, School teacher, Youth (FABYO) Director, past President of the Ester Missionary Circle, past Women’s Day chairperson, Scholarship Breakfast coordinator, and trustee. She was a member of the Century Club and the Grieving Committee. She served First African Baptist faithfully until her health would not let her.

Mrs. Wheeler will be dearly missed by her family and her community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester A. Wheeler, Jr; her grandsons, Gerald Wheeler II and Gerald Wheeler, Jr.

She is survived by her sons, Chester A. Wheeler, III (Mabel), Maurice B. Wheeler, and Gerald Wheeler; granddaughters, Brittney Wheeler and Tonya Raines; Sister-in-Law, Dorothy Hudson; nephews, Terrence (Steve), Samuel (Andrea), and niece, Kariba (Tim). She has two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter, a host of cousins, and other family members.

The Homegoing Celebration for Ms. Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM at First African Baptist Church, and interment will be at Green Acres Cemetery. Visitation on Thursday begins at 12 PM until 5:00 PM at Progressive.

In lieu of flowers, a love donation can be made to Fort Valley State University Foundation, Inc. 1005 State University Dr Fort Valley, GA 31030.

Progressive Funeral Home staff is privileged to serve the Family of Mrs. Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler.