Iva Sue Powell Wheeler

January 13, 1929- November 26, 2025

The Powell family has lived on the same land in Jones County since 1850.Through the years, the families farmed, grew gardens, raised turkeys, ran a dairy, raised cattle, and grew pine trees. Multiple generations started their married life in the original log cabin. Sue and her siblings went to the elementary school where the Sand Hill Community Center is to this day. Sue began her higher education at JCJC in Ellisville right after World War II where she met and married a returning veteran, James Ray Wheeler (originally from Heidelberg, MS). She is preceded in death by her husband, James Ray Wheeler, her sister, Katherine Powell Bush (Charles H. Bush), and her brother, William Hanson Powell (Jerry Kersh Powell). Her deceased parents are Ludie Turner Powell (a school teacher) and J.P. Powell (a rural mail carrier).

After graduating from Southeastern Louisiana College, Sue taught the third grade in five different elementary schools in several states. As they raised their children, Sue and Ray lived in Alabama, Ohio, Louisiana, and Mississippi. After Ray retired from NASA, the couple built a home on the Jones County family land.

After Ray's death, Sue taught with the adult literacy and Probate Judge programs. Most of her adult life, Sue taught adult and children's Sunday School. She is the last surviving Charter Member of the Sand Hill Baptist Church. On various occasions, Sue continued her love of children as she tutored after school. Sue's quest for knowledge and her love of learning has been an inspiration to her children, grandchildren, and everyone who knew her. Sue was a true Master Teacher.

Ray and Sue had three children:

Deborah W. Shannon (Floyd V. Shannon originally from (Richton, MS)(Seabrook, SC). Their children are Dr. Katie Shannon Thimgan (Dr. Matt Thimgan) (Andrew and Marcus) (Rolla, MO); Rebecca A. Shannon (Charleston, SC); Nathan Shannon (Lauren Rife Shannon) (Jennings and James Beckett) (Atlanta, GA)

Marsha W. Bankston (Larry Bankston originally from the Myrick community) (Simpsonville, SC) Their daughter is Janna Bankston. (Easley,
SC)

Geary Vincent Wheeler (Sand Hill)

Sue is survived by many nieces and nephews. Whether you called her mom, Grammie, Aunt Sue, Miss Sue, or Mrs. Wheeler, she will always be loved, honored, respected, and missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Saturday 29, 2025 from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at Sandhill Baptist Church located at 69 Sandhill Church Rd, Ellisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will follow at 11:00AM at the same location, with Bro. Jim Woodyear officiating. Burial will take place at Ellisville City Cemetery in Ellisville, Mississippi. Arrangements are being handled by Ellisville Funeral Home.