~~Endings and Beginnings~~

Feb 2

February 2, 2005 marked a chapter in my life that came to an end with the passing away of my

maternal grandmother. She was a significant influence in my life with her bravery,

resourcefulness, and devotion to life and who truly provided much of the inspiration I received

to become who I am. I will miss her very much.

Thelma G. Wheatley, 93

JUNE 10, 1911-FEB. 2, 2005

WILLIAMSPORT – Thelma Gaynell Hill Wheatley, 93, of 16505 Virginia Ave., Williamsport, Md.,

passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at Homewood Retirement Center in Williamsport.

Born Saturday, June 10, 1911, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Earl Edison

Hill and Sarah Brown Hill. Ms. Wheatley’s husband, Frank E. Wheatley, died in 1967.

Mrs. Wheatley was co-administrator of Bellvue Home and Coffman Home in Hagerstown. She was

employed for seven and-a-half years with J.C. McCroy Co. as a salesclerk and floorwalker. She

graduated from and then was employed by Baltimore City Hospitals as a licensed practical nurse.

She was a matron at Washington County Jail with the Sheriffs Department, was co-owner and

operator of the Boulevard Market in Hagerstown, worked for the Maryland State Roads Commission

as toll collector at Williamsport and was manager of Pic-A-Wenner in Ocean City, Md. She also

was involved with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and a member of the Retired Senior

Volunteer Program Advisory Council and Maryland Commission on Aging.

She was an avid bowler. She participated in the Washington County Rediscover America 76

pageant. She was a member of the Honored Society The Liberty Belles and participated in the

Madcaps. She was a member of AARP and Women of the Moose Chapter 0342.

She was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Hagerstown, where she taught Christian

Endeavor and Sunday school and was a member of the choir and former member of the Downsville

Homemakers.

She is survived by a daughter, Nadia S. Taylor and husband Donald T. of Middletown, Md.;

granddaughters, Deanna L. King and husband Tom of West Jordan, Utah; Donna R. Gaver and husband

Mark of Middletown; grandsons, Frank W. Taylor and wife Joan of Keedysville, Md., David T.

Taylor and wife Danielle of Frederick, Md.; great-grandchildren, Gregory, Brian and Emily Pope,

Daniel and Adam Taylor, Jaclyn, Samantha and Ashley Gaver, Kelly Merrbach and husband Greg;

sisters, Jane Snook and Betty Rudy, both of Florida; and brother, Earl E. Hill Jr. and wife Pat

of Hagerstown; and a number of nieces; cousins and their families.

Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at 10 a.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331

Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown with the Rev. Mark Wakefield officiating.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.

Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md.

Memorial contributions may be made to Homewood Nursing Home, Williamsport, MD 21795;

Alzheimer’s Association of Western Maryland, 5 Public Square, Hagerstown, MD 21740; or Hospice

of Washington County, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740.