LOUISBURG - Ann Barnhill Wheless, 92, of Mayview Convalescent Center, Raleigh, formerly of Louisburg, died Sunday morning. She was the oldest of eight children born to the late Walter and Lelia Locke Barnhill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James Block Wheless.

After obtaining her registered nurse degree at Park View Nursing School in Rocky Mount in 1938, the head nurse told her that a young doctor in Louisburg needed a nurse. After working together 7 years, they married.

Ann enjoyed a long and fruitful life in Louisburg. She remained involved in the medical community as a member of the Franklin Memorial Hospital Guild and worked with “Dr. Jimmy” at the Franklin County Health Department until her retirement.

Dr. Wheless died in 1983, and in 2003, Ann moved to Magnolia Glen Senior Community in Raleigh and then to Mayview in August 2007.

Ann survived her 7 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dona Wheless Stanton and James C. Stanton III of Eatonton, GA; son and daughter-in-law, James Block Wheless, Jr. “Buddy” and Mary Grier Wheless of Raleigh; her beloved grandsons, James C. Stanton IV of Atlanta, GA, James B. Wheless III and William H. Wheless, both of Raleigh.

A graveside funeral service was held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg. The family received friends 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at Strickland Funeral Home, 103 W. Franklin St., Louisburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Louisburg Baptist Church, Box 730, Louisburg, NC 27549; the Duke Eye Center, Box 3802, Durham, NC 27710; or the American Diabetes Association.

Ann loved her caregivers at Magnolia Glen and Mayview and the family extends their heartfelt appreciation for the sincere love and care she received.

Service by Strickland Funeral Home, Louisburg.

Paid Obituary