Roberta Wheeler Adams

Roberta Wheeler Adams, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, left this life for her heavenly home on Saturday, August 18, 2018. She was 98 years old. Although she will be dearly missed and mourned by her family and friends, they are comforted by the knowledge that she can once again see and hear clearly, that she can again walk unimpeded, and that she has been reunited with so many family members and friends who went to heaven before her. She has truly gone home.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 73 years, Charles Hawkins Adams, who tended her so lovingly through many broken bones as she did him when his health failed. Roberta is survived by her three children and their spouses, Susan White and husband, Fred, of Lynchburg, Beth Huggins and husband, Steve, of Orlando, and son John Adams and wife, Susan, of Myrtle Beach; as well as her grandchildren of whom she was immensely proud: Sarah McBride and husband, Charlton, of Orlando, Lindsay Leykin and husband, Max, of London, England, Daniel Adams and wife, Kim, of Lynchburg, Taylor Dooley and husband, Luke, of N.C., J.C. Adams of Centreville, and Luke Adams of Richmond; and great-grandchildren: Brendan Towery, David and Ariel Adams of Lynchburg, Tessa and Miles Dooley of N.C., and Finn McBride of Orlando. Her family will always miss her and remember a home filled with love and support. This will sustain them.

Roberta is also survived by her younger brothers, Wilson Wheeler of Lynchburg and Royal Wheeler and wife, Jean, of Blacksburg; a sister-in-law Sally Allen of Indianapolis; a brother-in-law C.P. Minnick of Raleigh and many nieces and nephews. She is now reunited with her older brother, John Wheeler, Jr., and her parents, Augusta and John Dixon Wheeler.

In addition to her family and friends, Roberta will be remembered fondly by hundreds of her former first and second grade students taught over numerous years, first at Forest Hills School in Campbell Co., then at Biggers Elementary School and following a break of 11 years to have her own children, Sheffield Elementary School in Lynchburg, Va., from which she retired in 1984. She loved her students and they loved her, and she was well known for her expertise in teaching students to read. Many a parent petitioned the school principal to have their children placed in Mrs. Adams’ room for first grade.

Finally, no tribute to Roberta would be complete without a testament of her strong and enduring faith in her Savior Jesus Christ and her love for her church, Forest United Methodist Church, where even as her body failed her, she wanted to be every Sunday.

The family welcomes friends to visitation at Forest Road United Methodist Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Sue Keen officiating, Burial to follow at Spring Hill Cemetery.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.