Sara Ellen Branch Wheeley

Services will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in White Deer, with Rev. Dr. Jerry R. Lane, pastor, officiating.Burial will follow in Miami Cemetery in Miami, under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.Mrs. Wheeley was born January 19, 1921 in Wheeler County, the last of eight children. When Sara was 18, she moved to Lubbock to attend Draughon's Business College, after which she took the train to San Antonio for her work and a new life. In San Antonio, she met Joseph E. "Joe" Wheeley, and they were married on September 5, 1942 in Houston. They eventually returned to life in the Texas Panhandle, and he preceded her in death on July 14, 2008, after 67 years of marriage. Sara was a resident of White Deer from 1947 until she moved to Houston in 2011 where she was living with her daughters, Sharon and Jan. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of White Deer. She was known and loved by people of all ages in White Deer and the surrounding area for her kind, sincere and fun spirit, and was remembered fondly for her popcorn balls at Halloween, her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls and wild plum jelly, made and given generously to so many. Her beautiful flower garden was enjoyed by everyone who came to sit and have a cup of coffee under the umbrella on the patio. She brought joy to others always, and will be greatly missed. Survivors include her son: Joe Hubert Wheeley and wife Sara Lou of Pampa; her three daughters: Sharon Graff and husband Vic, Jan Flowers and husband Larry, and Nina Gray and husband Duncan, all of Houston; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 835, White Deer, Texas 79097 or the White Deer Senior Citizens Center, 315 S. Main, White Deer, Texas 79097.