Barbara Delores Wheeler was born Monday, April 21, 1941 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Arno and Lillie (Boles) Chasteen. She entered her Savior's rest on her mother's birthday, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in the comfort of her home.

Services will be 2:00pm, Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Bethel Assembly of God under the direction of Whitt Funeral Home, with Rev. Ron Meador officiating. Visitation will be at the family home on Monday, May 4th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

Barbara grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma with her parents, Arno and Lillie, and older brother, Dee. At the age of seven, her family experienced a devastating house fire that ultimately introduced her to Jesus. After the fire, she had a dream where she was walking down the sidewalk, and everything around her was on fire. In her front yard, Jesus was there, surrounded by a circle of green grass where there was no fire. He told her to come to Him, that she would be safe. After this experience, she asked Him to be her Savior. She served Jesus faithfully from that moment on.

Barbara attended Duncan High School where she met the love of her life, Gerald Wheeler. They were married shortly after her graduation and were blessed with 62 beautiful years together. They both attended the University of Central Oklahoma and graduated with degrees in education. Barbara and Gerald became parents on April 26th, 1964 with the birth of their daughter, Robin Diane, and their family was completed with the adoption of their daughter Nita Marie in May of 1981.

Barabra's love for Jesus was displayed throughout her entire life. She served as a Sunday school teacher and sang on the worship team with her husband at Gospel Beams Church for 52 years. She was an active part of all food preparation at church, no matter the event. Barbara, Gerald, and their daughters spent much time on missionary trips in Haiti, and the pacific islands of Guam, Fiji, Nauru, Truk, Pohnpei, and the Solomon Islands. Every summer, weeks were also spent in Portland, Oregon at the Beyond the Reef missions camp where she later was also able to take some of her grandchildren.

In addition to her love of serving, she also had a passion for the arts. Barbara was a talented artist, teaching art for many years. She loved music and was a vocalist with Gerald in many quartets and trios. Later in life, she and Gerald made ministering at local assisted living communities a part of their weekly routine.

Her name officially changed from Barbara to Granny with the arrivals of her many grandchildren. She was deeply committed to being wholly present in their lives. She retired in 1997 after teaching 1st grade for 25 years, the majority of which were at Emerson Elementary. She retired so that she could help homeschool her grandchildren.

Granny loved beautiful things and always gave glory to God for them. She spent many hours tending to her flower beds, making them look "just right." Papa loved to spoil her with trips to shop at Dillards. She never took advantage, but always appreciated it. Granny and Papa did everything together; it was impossible to think of one without thinking of the other. Friday night was date night, which often included rotating through taking a grandchild with them. These trips of singing, story-telling, and Bible-reading, will forever be so special. Their gentle relationship was such an example of a God-honoring marriage. Granny was committed to leading her family to Jesus. She faithfully read the daily Psalms and Proverbs and taught her children and grandchildren to do the same. When her spirit was troubled, she would spend hours in prayer, often in the serenity of her home sunroom.

In her latter years, her joy was exponentially increased by becoming a great-grandmother. She became the resident "baby rocker."

Granny's life changed dramatically when Papa passed away in November of 2023. She was never quite the same. If you were close to her you knew, but if you hadn't spent much time with her after she lost Papa, it's likely you didn't know. Dementia was not kind to her and took so much from her. Two things it didn't take: her love for Jesus and her love for her family. Despite the confusion, all the way to the end, she knew her Savior, and she knew her family.

Throughout her life, Barbara was always described as a true lady of grace, a real-life Proverbs 31 woman. She had a quiet strength, and her first response to any trial was to take it to Jesus in prayer. One of her favorite Bible verses was 3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." What an example!

Barbara's life was an inspiration to many. Those left to cherish her legacy are her brother Dee Chasteen and wife Patsy, two daughters: Robin Wheeler of Duncan, Nita and husband Tim Johnson of Elmore City, seven grandchildren: Blake Dressler and wife Beka, Abigail and husband Daniel Ballard, Rachel and husband Colton Ballard, Sarah and husband Ryan Rochell, Elizabeth and husband Jared Plaudis, Kyle Johnson and wife Callie, Ryan Johnson and wife Logan, and eighteen great grandchildren.

Granny, you were our prayer warrior. We are rejoicing for you, but we miss you so. Thank you for who you were and for the way you touched the lives of those around you. We love you, Granny.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.