Bessie Wheeler

Bessie Truesdale Wheeler peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Born on October 15, 1945, in Harlem, New York, NY, she was the proud daughter of the late Charlie and Aurelia Lee Truesdale. Later, she migrated South with her parents becoming a resident of Camden, South Carolina. Bessie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into her heart at an early age.

Bessie met the love of her life, Leroy Wheeler while attending Jackson High School in Camden. After graduating high school, they both attended and graduated from South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, SC. Later, she married her high school sweetheart, Leroy on Christmas Day 1967. From this union, one daughter Leronda Michelle Wheeler Butler, was born. Leronda was the apple of both of her parents’ eyes and the family fully enjoyed one another. Bessie was preceded by the early death of her late husband, Leroy, in August 1973.

A true Renaissance woman, Bessie accomplished a lot in her life while fully enjoying it. She was stylish, witty and an intellectual who loved all kinds of art. She enjoyed new experiences, loved to read and because of her value of education, she continuously learned. She enjoyed traveling, domestically as well as the world, absorbing various cultures and delighted in telling others about her experiences.

Taking her value of education further, Bessie was a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., initiated through the Camden Alumnae Chapter, April 1995. She was an extremely proud member of the sorority because of its emphasis on education and she enjoyed collecting elephants, one of the symbols of the sorority, representing wisdom.

Bessie believed in hard work. After a long and dedicated career with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Kentucky and South Carolina, she retired in 2006. As an accountant, Bessie was a whiz with numbers.

In addition to enjoying travel and her dedication to hard work, Bessie was a part of several organizations, involved in her local communities where she lived, supported area non-profits and was active in the church. She was a faithful and dedicated member of her home church, St. Paul United Methodist Church in Camden, where she served as Trustee, Finance Secretary, Treasurer, Member of the PPRC Committee, Anniversary Committee, Parsonage Committee, Chairperson of Finance, Secretary of Administrative Council, Communications Committee, the Senior Citizens Group and BOLD Member. Bessie served on the Federal Grand Jury for the state of South Carolina for over one year. She was also a member of the Universal Masonic Brotherhood and OES and a part of Martha Chapter No. 2.

Throughout her life, Bessie helped others in need, following the example of Jesus Christ. She was always ready to share her warm and bright smile and with her quiet spirit she moved with a peaceful countenance. She always had a positive word to share giving encouragement to others while unselfishly imparting her wisdom. She believed in the good in people and she lived her life with a sense of hope. A family friend named her “Love and Happiness” because that is truly what Bessie possessed and gave to others.

Bessie leaves behind to cherish precious memories her loving daughter, Leronda Michelle Wheeler Butler (Steven), High Point, NC; grandchildren Leron T. Wheeler, Lauryn Aurelia Butler, David L. Butler, Steven Butler, Jr. and Stuart Butler; sisters-in-law, Margie Bennett (Alfred), Lugoff, SC, Catherine Hollis, Camden, SC, Shirley Reddick, Elgin, SC and Deborah Wheeler, Bethlehem, PA; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. All of us will hold Bessie Truesdale Wheeler warmly in our hearts with love.