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Obituary For Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler
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.
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William A. Matos Matos sent Pink Tribute Spray for Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler - July 02, 2025
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My condolences, heart felt love, and wishes goes to the family of Mrs. Willie G. Hudson Wheeler. I met Ms. Willie G Hudson in 1958 at good ole Lumpkin High and Industrial School. She was the home room teacher for the ninth grade at L H & I. I was a young naughty freshman who was about to learn that even though she was small, she had some powerful hands that she used to pinch us with when we were naughty and didn't get our lessons. It is needless to say I came to know those powerful hands very well. She looked beyond my faults and saw my needs. She enabled me to discover that my forte was in Literature and Humanities. She introduced me to famous poets as Edgar Allen Poe, william Cullen Bryant and Paul Lawerence Dunbar just to mention a few. She assigned us to learn the poem "Thanatopsis." Try as hard as I may. Inever did learn that poem. I got many pinches from those hands about that poem. I am writing this because I do not know whether she saw that I would use that poem much later in life. At thetime that I knew her i was a least likely candidate for the Ministry. Somehow she had that premonition. Her confidence and her ability to see through my caving for attention hasaided me in situations when am called upon to consolate or officiate Homegoing Services. I rely on Excerpts from the poem "Thanotopsis." She was gifted as a counselor and I remember her as one of the few people in Lumpkin that did not give up on this wayward naughty boy. To the family I say to you hold your head up and follow her example. I want to leave you with this exerpt from the poem Thanotopsis. In her transition, she did not go as a quarry slave scourged to her dungeon but as one sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust. She approached her departure as one who draped her couch about her and laid down to Pleasant Dreams.
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Truly, Mrs. Wheeler, was a genuinely loving and kind Guidance Counselor. When, I went to her office, to discuss attending college, she smiled and listen. After, I finished talking about applying to various colleges. She looked at me and said, "Have you considered Superman College" Interesting enough, I was accepted at Superman College first and later received a scholarship. Thanks to Mrs. Wheeler I graduated from Superman College in 1982. The wise Guidance Counselor lead me to a path of blessings. I, later became a Lead School Counselor, and was influenced by my protege Willie Wheeler. I had the privilege of being the School Counselor of Willie Wheeler's granddaughter. As a result, God providentially allowed our paths to intersect at a school. Tears filled my eyes when I saw Mrs. Wheeler walk through the doors. Needless, to say she smiled, only this time I was I had an opportunity to express my gratitude and how much she influenced and impacted my life. I will always love Willie Wheeler. Her memory will forever live on in my heart. Sonja Parker G.W. Carver High School, class of 1978.
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Mrs. Wheeler was my go-to help always when I taught at Carver. I lived and appreciated her beyond words. May she rest in peace after giving herself to her life's calling! 💕🫶
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Cousin Gerald,
There are so many of us mourning the loss of your beautiful Mom. She was awesome and positively impacted so many young students, to include myself... which continued into my adulthood. I will always cherish her gentle guidance and steady friendship over the years and take comfort from the beautiful memories. She wanted everyone to prosper, as shared by many of my friends and former classmates!
As a matter of fact, we recently celebrated our Carver High 50th Class Reunion (June 7th) and so many requested I coordinate to have her as our guest speaker... unfortunately, her failing health prevented it but she would've been so well received!
I don't have to tell you that your Mom had a way of nudging folks toward success, she even tried over the years to get me to join her beloved sorority (Delta Sigma Theta) LOL
I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of this special soul and your Mom, she was truly a faithful servant!
Love, Cousin Denise
I wish to extend deepest sympathy and prayers to the family and loved ones of Mrs. Willie Glenn Hudson Wheeler. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."- Psalm 91:1
My condolences to the Wheeler family, may God strengthen you during this time. Gwen Rawls
Ms. Wheeler was my guidance counselor during my Senior year at G.W. Carver High School, (Class of 1982). I met Ms. Wheeler at Carver when I no longer had employment through the DCT program, the administrators had to find me something to do for one hour, So they placed me in the guidance office to assist them with whatever they needed me to do. I instantly felt Ms. Wheeler's beautiful and heart warming spirit, over the years whenever I ran into Ms. Wheeler I always thanked her for everything that she did for me,(I will always remember and treasure my relationship with her). I pray that the Lord will comfort and keep your family in their time of sorrow. R.I.P. my friend, I know that you made it in and you have gotten your 👑. ❤️ always Wesley V. Thomas.
My condolences, CHS '71
Ms. Wheeler was my guidance counselor at G.W. Carver High School from 1974-1977. She was the one person who cared about my predicament as those high school years went by. She took an active role in helping me to decide what my life could bring to me. She knew just what to recommend and then allowed me to make the final decisions. I have often thought of her over the years having seen her again after school at the dedication of the new Carver High. I knew her immediately and can only share my respect for this lovely lady who in short, saved my young life. Now at 66 I realize that her suggestions and "always ready to help" attitude has been a part of my life since those days at the old Carver High. Bless you Ms. Wheeler and may you rest in peace.
