Patsy Nelms Wheeler

With her beloved family by her side, Patsy Nelms Wheeler, age 86, finished her race and was ushered Home to her Savior Saturday morning, April 25, 2026. 

Patsy came into this life in Nash County, NC towards the end of the Great Depression on July 19, 1939. She was the second child born to William Arvie and Lillie Hudson Nelms. She grew to become a special daughter, sister, wife, mother, and granny, caring for those she loved along the way. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only sibling, brother, Bill Nelms; step-father, Thomas Rowland; and son-in-law, Robbie Davis.

With a servant’s heart rooted in nurturing and maternal instincts, Patsy was selfless in her care and concern for others. Thanks to Ronnie’s hard work, a thriving garden provided a variety of tasty vegetables that she would busy herself with, prepping, canning, and cooking, all to share with family and friends. Holidays came with the great expectation of a big pot of her wonderful soup, made with love from their backyard garden’s bounty. Her green thumb and knack for growing and gardening also meant the Wheeler home was brimming with beautiful plants and colorful flowers, both inside and out. She had a special touch coupled with meticulous care that could revive and restore even some of the most withered and declining botanicals.

Through much of her adult life, Calvary Baptist Church was an important staple for Patsy and her family. She loved her church family and was active for as long as her health allowed; she especially enjoyed singing with the choir. She also spent several years working in the insurance industry where she did what came most naturally, helping others. She made many friends during her career, most recently as a successful and well known agent with State Farm Insurance Company.

Centering her life around family, Patsy soaked up every moment she could with them. Spending time at the beach meant lots of relaxation and fishing, and fun competition to catch the biggest fish.

Patsy lived a life that created a cornucopia of precious memories for her husband of fifty-one years, Ronnie Ulysses Wheeler; children, Tammie Starling Valentine and husband, Craig of Battleboro, Tracy Lynn Starling, Donna Starling Davis, both of Rocky Mount, and Christopher Wheeler and wife, Ashley of Nashville; sister-in-law, Sara Nelms of Rocky Mount, as well as many family friends and other extended relatives. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Kelly Lancaster and husband, Bill, Ashley Proctor and companion, Brandon Hare, MacKenzie and Paisley Wheeler; great-grandchildren, Chase and Harrison Lancaster, and Shiann and Kayla Starling; along with her devoted little dachshund, CJ.

Her life has been a tremendous blessing for which we will always be grateful.

Service arrangements are pending and will be posted once confirmed.