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On January 12, 2021, Mrs. Mary Headrick Wheeless died at Florida Presbyterian Homes of natural causes. Mary was born in Portland, Oregon, March 26, 1917, to Letha and Joe Headrick. She grew up and was educated in Tennessee. She earned degrees in English and Social Studies with a minor in Education from Tusculum College and did additional graduate studies in religious education. She worked as Director of Religious Education and as a teacher.
In 1947, she and Carl M. Wheeless married. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2007, 9 months before his death. She was also pre-deceased by son, Richard Wheeless. Mary is survived by daughters Letha Schriver (Charlie) and Ann Duda (Ed) as well as 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She also leaves many other family members and friends to treasure her memory.
From 1957 to 1970, the family lived in Lahore, Pakistan, serving at Forman Christian College representing the United Methodist Church. Later, the family lived in High Point, NC. Carl and Mary retired to Orlando, FL and later moved to Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, FL.
Mary was active in the United Methodist Church all of her life, most recently at First United Methodist Church, Lakeland. Her love for God was evident in everything she did and as many people have said, Mary was an example of how to live a God-filled, positive life.
The family will have a private interment service at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family at Heath Funeral Chapel.
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Luck brought Bob and me to Florida Presbyterian Homes where Mary lived for many years. We had lived in Lahore, Pakistan at the same time but were not acquainted. She was very intelligent and interested in politics. Mary was beloved by all who knew her and she had many friends.