Mary Jane Wheeler Wade

Mary Jane Wheeler Wade left peacefully for her heavenly home on September 7, 2020. She was the oldest of eleven children born to James Sherman Wheeler and Goldie Avis Williams Wheeler. Mary Jane shared 53 years with her beloved husband, James Alvin Wade, who passed in 2017.
Mary Jane was a loving wife and mother, a devoted sister and aunt, an endearing grandmother and great-grandmother, and a faithful friend. Her care and concern for her family were constant evidences of her love for each one of them. For her friends and neighbors, she was a strong support in good times and in challenging ones, always ready to celebrate the joys and help in the trials.
For over twenty years, Mary Jane encouraged customers and coworkers alike as she made sure the Crossroad Kroger’s shelves were stocked and neat. She believed first impressions and a strong work ethic mattered—and her years of serving the public show the strength of that belief. She took great pride in and enjoyment of a beautiful and welcoming home. She valued the time of making sure everything was clean and in its place—so much so that family always said we could even eat off Mary Jane’s basement floors. Her loving attention to the care of her home made all who came, whether known or a new acquaintance, feel welcomed and comfortable. Throughout her life, she treasured the simple moments of talking with friends, gathering with family, sharing a cup of coffee, telling tales, and spoiling her grandchildren and grand dogs. She knew all the favorite dishes and loved cooking them, whether it was a plate of deviled eggs, a dish of creamy macaroni and cheese, or a Christmas table laden with German Chocolate Cake, homemade fudge, potato candy, and her special Chex Mix. Her love extended through her actions to all of her family and will remain the greatest gift to each one.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Wade, her parents, James and Goldie Wheeler, and by three of her siblings: Wayland Wheeler, Beverly Hill, and Gary Wheeler. She is survived by her three children, Kathy Wade Craft, Tondalaya Wade VanLear, and James Morris Jarrett and by her siblings Gerald S. Wheeler and wife, Sue; Betty K. Campbell; Carole E. LeDane; Janice M. McKinney; Valerie W. Westmoreland and husband, Lee; Connie W. Karnes and husband,  Mark; and, Sherry L. Wheeler. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Eryn VanLear, Katie VanLear Poulsen, Sara VanLear, and Rhonda Smith; four great-grandchildren: Hannah Craft, Auden Wolfe, Judah Poulsen, and Rèmy Poulsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Jane’s family will honor her life with a graveside service on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 11 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. For those wishing to pay last respects, a viewing on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lotz of Vinton. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Mary Jane’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN: http://www.stjude.org.
Recommended social distancing and face covering directives will be observed

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