HELENA-WEST HELENA — Patricia (Pat) Wheeler, nee Shaw,
age 78, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, December 26th, 2021, after an extended illness. She was born February 27th, 1943, to John and Mildred (McCoy) Shaw of Mobile, Ala. On Aug 20, 1960, she wed Robert E. Wheeler (Buddy) of West Helena, Ark. and was married for 58 years until his death in 2018.
Pat, or “Patsy Shaw” as her closest friends called her, was a woman of many talents. She could sew anything from prom dresses to costumes, reupholster furniture, cook the best chicken and dumplings, and find a way to fix or create anything that was needed or wanted by someone she loved. Unafraid of hard work, she wallpapered literally hundreds of homes and businesses throughout Phillips County as part of her own business enterprise.
She was an avid reader of murder mysteries, and when unable to read any longer, began watching them on TV. She loved to dress up in cute clothes, sparkly things, and sassy high heels. Her love for her community was a lifelong mission. Over the years, she participated in community theater, volunteered for the King Biscuit Blues Festival, was guide providing historical tours of Helena to the American Queen Steamboat passengers when they stopped on their way down the Mississippi River, and she spent countless hours helping people in need. Two of her most beloved causes were girls at the Ophelia Polk Moore Home and the area children in foster care. All of these things paled in comparison to the love she had for her family and close friends. If you were fortunate enough to be part of her world, you knew you were loved.
She is survived by her son and daughter, Lyle S. Wheeler (Lisa) of West Helena, Ark., and Vicki W. Burnett (Robert) of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Brittany W. Doyle (Joel), Caroline W. Branch (Alex), Jesse B. Burnett and James R. (Jay) Burnett all of Little Rock, Ark., and John W. Burnett of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Porter and Dean.
Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her brother, Mack Shaw; and her parents, John and Mildred Shaw.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m., at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan St., Helena, where masks and social distancing will be strictly observed.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her by making a memorial donation to the Ophelia Polk Moore Home, or St. John’s Episcopal Church. Donations to either cause can be made: c/o St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 770, Helena, Ark. 72342.
Services are directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870)-572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.