Jacquelene Cooper Wheeler

Jacquelene (Jackie) Cooper Wheeler, 93, passed from this life into her eternal home with her dear Savior and Lord on January 8, 2024. Jackie was born at Fort Benning, GA. in the base hospital on November 20, 1930, to James L. Cooper of Selma, Alabama, and Mattie B. (Miller) Cooper of Columbus, GA.

She grew up in Thomaston and Macon, Georgia. Following graduation from A. L. High School in Macon, GA, she studied X-Ray Technology. After the completion of her studies, Jackie worked as an X-Ray Technician and Medical Secretary for several years in the Columbus area before marrying Gilroy G. Walton in 1952. Jackie and Gil, now deceased, along with their two children, moved to Florida in 1958.

In 1962, Jackie married William Rodney Padgett, who helped her raise her children until his sudden death in early 1980.

Jackie was the secretary at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Winter Haven from 1967 - 1976. Later, she was the first director's secretary for Ridge Vocational Technical Center, now known as Ridge Career Center, and retired in 1987.

She met Wayne H. Wheeler in late 1980 at RVTC and they married in 1981. They shared a love of family, friends, and travel abroad, as well as stateside, thoroughly enjoying "doing life" together. Jackie was a vivacious, people person who loved the Lord. She was always active in her church and community.

In 2015, Jackie and Wayne moved to Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, Florida. She and Wayne continued to stay quite active until health issues slowed them down in their very late 80s. She and Wayne were married 42 years before his death on December 6, 2023. Wayne became the love of her life and she, his.

Jacquelene was pre-deceased by her parents, one brother, one step-grandson, and her beloved husband, Wayne. She is survived by two brothers; Wayne and James Cooper, Ga.; children; John (Debi) Walton of Lakeland and Janet Walton of Winter Haven, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as stepchildren; Bruce (Terry) Wheeler of Greensboro, NC., Steve (Charles Cormick) Wheeler, London, Eng., Dennis Wheeler, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., Tom (Kathy) Wheeler, of Lincoln NE., Monica (Robert Steiner) Wheeler, of Pisgah, IA, and Kevin (Jossie) Wheeler, of Ponte Vedra, FL; nine surviving step-grandchildren, and eight step-great-grandchildren, all of whom were greatly loved.

Jackie's family wishes to express gratitude for the love and care both she and Wayne received from the staff at Florida Presbyterian Homes, especially during the last three years, as well as Home Instead during the last several months.

A joint Celebration of Life for Jackie and Wayne will be held on January 11, 2024, in the Glenn Moore Chapel at the Florida Presbyterian Homes at 9:30 a.m. There will be an inurnment for them both at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida that afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which was an organization very near and dear to Jackie's heart.