Samuel Jefferson Wheeler

1919 - 2008

Samuel Jefferson Wheeler, 89, of Narrows, Va., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at Riverview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rich Creek. A lifelong resident of Giles County, he was born on April 26, 1919, and was the son of the late William Henry and Nora Lake Lambert Wheeler. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven Wayne Wheeler; seven brothers, John Wheeler, Tom Wheeler, Leonard Wheeler, Paul Wheeler, Clifford Wheeler, Ray Wheeler and Carl Wheeler; and two half brothers, Edgar Wheeler and Ernest Wheeler. A World War II veteran of the United States Army, he was a life member of VFW Post #6000 of Narrows, a faithful member of Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church, and a charter member of the Wolf Creek Ruritan Club. He was a retired employee of Celanese Acetate in Narrows with over 40 years service. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Iris Eastburn Wheeler; a daughter, Glonda Lee Jennings and husband, Roger, of Rich Creek; a son, Samuel Keith Wheeler and wife, Brenda, of Narrows; four grandsons, Chad Frederick Pruett, of Christiansburg, Michael Dewayne Wheeler, actively serving in the United States Air Force in Afghanistan and wife, Lisa, of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Matthew Wyatt Jennings, actively serving in the United States Marine Corps at Parris Island, S.C., and Austin Wade Jennings, of Rich Creek; three granddaughters, Sabrina Gail Runyon and husband, Dan, of Milan, Mich., Sheri Renee Jennings and husband, Alex, of Christiansburg, and Brittani Shae Jennings, of Rich Creek; four great-grandchildren, Kayle, Jessica and Allison Wheeler, and Brandon Williams; three sisters, Wava Testerman, of Richlands, Hazel Akers, of Narrows, and Bonita Roatenberry, of Radford; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many special friends. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2008, in the chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Leon O'Quinn and the Rev. Doug Hyndrich officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 6 to 9 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church. Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com.