Sudie Vandelia Sheets Wheeler

WEAVERVILLE—Sudie Vandelia Sheets Wheeler, 81, of 919 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville, and 170 S. Main Street, Mars Hill, passed away Friday, July 2, 2010, after a period of declining health. Sudie was born October 6, 1928, to Oliver D. Sheets and Sue Pittillo Sheets who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Claude B. Wheeler, who died in 2005; brother, Oliver D. Sheets, Jr.; sisters, Frances S. Hull, Shirley S. Middleton, and Patsy S. Bartlett. She is survived by her daughter, Claudia and husband Michael Rogers of the home; brothers, Thomas J. Sheets and Robert L. Sheets; and sister, Jean Fink; as well as several nieces and nephews which include Richard and Jerry Wheeler, both of whom she thought of as sons. She is also survived by special friend Carolyn Cole and her extended family at Mars Hill Retirement Community. Sudie was a 1948 graduate of Brevard College. She retired in 1991 after 25 years service with the Department of Cultural Resources. She served as Manager of Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace and Thomas Wolfe Memorial. At the time of her retirement, she was Western Representative for the Department of Cultural Resources. A former member of Asheville Area Tourism Association, she held offices of both President and Treasurer. She was also the recipient of the AATA distinguished service award. Sudie is a former member of Chapter 104 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. During her time in the UDC she held the office of President, Treasurer, Historian and Recorder of Military Service Awards. Representing her chapter, she was a member of the VA Voluntary Services Board and served as Chairperson for a time. For this service she received the highest award given by the UDC, the Winnie Davis gold medal for volunteerism. She was a leader on the state level and especially in the life of the local UDC chapter. She was chosen as volunteer of the year in 2000 for the VA Medical Center and also volunteered for Mission Hospitals Heart Path program. She was a member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Sudie was an avid crafter and spent many hours quilting, chair caning and weaving. She enjoyed her time at Vance Birthplace where she was given the opportunity to demonstrate mountain crafts to countless numbers of school children. The family would like to thank the staff at Mars Hill Retirement Community for their care and compassion over the last several years, and Hospice Care nurse, Mary Ashe, for her care and kindness in her final days. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Her memorial service will be held Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. in the Zebulon Vance Birthplace, 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville. The family will greet friends following the service. "The life given to us by God is short but a life well lived is not forgotten." Cicero. West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, is assisting the family. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com