Mercedes Elizabeth Wheeler

Mercedes Elizabeth (Ball) Wheeler slipped away peacefully on February 6th to join her devoted husband Al, who preceded her to Heaven 3 years ago this month. She was born in Bauxite, Arkansas to Fred and Margret Ball on January 14, 1925, and grew up with her two sisters, living in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, never more than two years in one place. At Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, she met the love of her life, Albert Lee Wheeler Jr, but was soon distanced from him by the outbreak of WWII. Her college years became war years, and her family moved to Oklahoma City, where she and her sister worked at Tinker Air Force Base. Before he went overseas, Al spent every leave weekend with her family, and for the duration of the war, Mercedes wrote hundreds of letters to him. Al and Mercedes were married on July 28, 1946 and were rarely apart the rest of their lives. During their short 71 years together, Dad was a food chemist and Mom was a food engineer. Even with the birth of five children within seven years, Mom organized her family with projects, church, laughter and love. She was the Food Editor for the Daily Oklahoman during the '60s, and was featured on cooking segments on local TV. She created "Dial-A-Recipe" before Internet, wrote a cookbook, novels and magazine articles. She edited the "Baptist Messenger" newsletter and worked as a legal assistant for a criminal defense lawyer. Mom and dad built their own home on Oklahoma City's Regal Lake, acting as their own architect and contractors. It was a labor of love, for them and their family members. They landscaped it with trees brought from mom's family farm and were founding members of Regal Lake Homeowners Association. With her Christian virtues mom was a wonderful wife and mother. Al and Mercedes were members of the Quail Springs Baptist Church for over 35 years. She helped with school projects from kindergarten through graduate school, and managed her family income properties until recently. Mom was a remarkable woman, inspiring others to excel, be creative and work hard. She will be greatly missed by her five children: Kat Ryan (Derry) of Novato, California, Elaine Hobson of Norman, Susie Eubanks of Oklahoma City, Albert Wheeler III (Kathy) of Puyallup, Washington and Janet Galloway of Norman. Her loving grandchildren; Matt Huff (Gayle), Aubrey McDermid (Anthony), Nick Ryan (Jenny) and Myles Ryan, Byron Eubanks (already in Heaven) and Ben Eubanks, and great grandchildren, Tate Hammontree, Allison Hammontree, and Jasmine Eubanks, all adored their "Gran". Mercedes is also survived by sisters Fredine Ramo and Marquita Carleton, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Wheeler, former son-in-law Cal Hobson, many beautiful nieces, nephews, friends and caregivers. She loved her family, loved her life, and she will really love being on vacation now with Al. Visitation will be from 10AM to 6PM Tuesday, February 11. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 12, at Quail Springs Baptist Church.