Obituary of Esther Wheeley

Esther Brown Wheeley, age 95, of Hillsborough, NC, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. She was the wife of the late Otha Morris Wheeley and daughter of the late Isaac and Lou Brown and sister of the late Edmund Brown all of whom preceded her in death. Surviving are her children, Raymond and Marie Wilson, Wallace Wilson, Dan and Luz Wilson, Janie and Mike Shaw and Buddy Wheeley. One daughter who preceded her in death Mildred Wheeley. Her Grandchildren, Penny Wilson who preceded her in death, Julie and Sean Thompson, Dennis Wilson, Donna and Rob Sokol, Dan Wilson, Sharmon Shaw, and James and Laura Shaw, Kathy Gryder, Renee Clawson, and Rhonda Weischel. Fourteen Great-Grandchildren and Seven Great-Great-Grandchildren.

Mrs. Wheeley retired from Orange County Schools where she served for many years as the Head Cashier at Orange High School. She was very active in her church all throughout her life and was a member of Bahama Chapter #203 Order of the Eastern Star in Bahama, NC where she served eight times as Worthy Matron and was a member of Battle of Alamance Chapter #256 Order of the Eastern Star in Graham, NC. She was the Mother Advisor of Hillsborough Assembly #77 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls for 23 years. She loved working with young people, and it was often said that “Ms. Essie” as the girls called her was a recycled teenager because as she said, “they kept her young”. She enjoyed playing dominoes with her family every week, sewing, crocheting, singing, and playing the piano. She was known all over for her famous chicken and dumplings and salmon stew and beautiful wedding and special occasion cakes. She was a lady of many talents but what she loved most was serving her Father God in Heaven and her Savior Jesus Christ which she did all through out her life. She will be forever missed in our hearts.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Staff of Mebane Ridge Assisted Living. She loved all of you very much and the family appreciates the care and love that you gave her during her five years living there. You are the best and we love you all.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made in Mrs. Wheeley’s honor to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St. Oxford, NC 27565.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at noon at Walker’s Funeral Home in Hillsborough, with the family receiving friends from 11:00 am- noon prior to the service. The committal will immediately follow the service at Hillsborough Town Cemetery.

Walker's Funeral Home of Hillsborough is assisting the family.