Lucinda B. Wheeler

Elma Lucinda Baird Wheeler, 88, of Scottsville joined her beloved Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 24, 2023, joining her devoted husband of 66 years, George Bledsoe Wheeler, Sr.  She was born on Wednesday, December 5, 1934 at home in Buckingham County, VA, a daughter of the late Mary M. Jones Baird and Harvey Lee Baird.

In addition to her parents and her second born daughter, Patsy who passed shortly after birth, Lucinda is preceded in death by eleven sisters, Sarah Frances B. Harvey, Pearl B. Davis, Elsie B. Nicholas Hershberger, Mary Elizabeth B. Edwards, Katherine Gladys Baird, Tempie B. Bailey, Valerie B. Nicholas, Courtney Clarke Baird, Myrtle B. Marshall, Marvin B. Brocken, and Beverly B. Ballard; two brothers, Charlie William Baird and James Harvey Baird; and a son-in-law, Ronald Keithley.

Lucinda was a devoted member of the Scottsville Baptist Church for 66 years. Over the years with the church, she taught the Men’s Sunday School Class, sang in the choir, and made beautiful floral arrangements for the sanctuary. She was a witness for the Lord, and everyone who met her knew how she was faithful to Him for all the days of her life.

Lucinda married George on January 1, 1952, and they lived their entire married life together in Scottsville. She was devoted to her husband, George, and to her children and grandchildren. Her beautiful tables with the wonderful meals she made were one of the many ways she showed her love to anyone that was able to dine. Lucinda’s talent and love for decorating, along with her keen eye for history, was expertly reflected in her home’s decor.

Lucinda loved Scottsville and was active over the years with different ways to make it better. In her early years, she was on the Volunteer Rescue Squad on her days off and on the Town Council in her later years. She was the Treasurer for the Scottsville Council of the Arts from 1996 to 2000. George and Lucinda bought the Scottsville property of Cliffview and lovingly worked on the much-needed renovations to make it their home. The couple enjoyed their hobby and seeing the fruits of their labor.

Lucinda was an icon of Scottsville, as she made all who came into her shop become more beautiful or handsome. The Scottsville Wheeler Beauty Shop was in business until, after 46 years, she retired. When Lucinda was 13, her father passed away suddenly, resulting in her not being able to finish her education at Buckingham High School and moved to her sister’s home in Maryland at age 15. Education was very important to her, so in 1971, she returned to school and got her GED. Lucinda and George were blessed with being able to support their children’s education beyond high school. She went to beauty school at age 22, and George converted a bedroom into a shop, a porch into a shop, and then a basement into a shop.

Lucinda was a true patriot for her town, state, and country. She would participate in town productions about the history of the town over the years. She had a library of books on our Constitution, history, and the presidents. She was a model citizen- picking up litter during her walks and advocating to maintain the town’s historic charm.

Lucinda is survived by her sister, Joyce B. Spencer of Farmville; her four children, Pamela W. Breeden (Frederick “Ted”), Bonnie Sue W. Ruddock, Roberta Lynn W. Keithley, and George B. Wheeler, Jr. (Alison); 14 grandchildren, Amber B. Turner, Timothy P. Breeden, Virginia R. Codoni, Nicholas A. Kalinsky, Jacob A. Keithley, Justin L. Keithley, Rachael L. Keithley, Carmen K. Ramm, Bruce D. Keithley, Brandon D. Keithley, Kimberly E. A. Keithley, Mariah L. Keithley, Bryan T. Wheeler, and Mark R. Wheeler; 13 great-grandchildren, Kenden Turner, Jaycee Turner, Chase Breeden, Gabriel Breeden, Kyle Keithley, Elliana Keithley, Michael Kalinsky, Olivia Kalinsky, Harrison Codoni, Finley Codoni, Josephine Codoni, Amelia Ramm, and Schuyler Ramm; and a host of family and friends that will remember Lucinda fondly.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the caring staff of the Hospice of the Piedmont and the numerous, compassionate staff at Our Lady of Peace in Charlottesville, VA who took such wonderful care of Lucinda over the last five years. The family is so grateful to have had so many kind people who showed Lucinda love and strove to meet all her needs.

A funeral service for Lucinda will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 30, 2023 at Thacker Brothers Scottsville Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Tolliver officiating. Committal at Scottsville Cemetery will occur after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Lucinda’s memory to Scottsville Baptist Church (escalator fund) at P.O. Box 100; Scottsville, VA 24590, the Scottsville Fire Department at P.O. Box 381; Scottsville, VA 24590, or The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist at 8201 Yolanda Road, Richmond, VA 23229.

Friends and family may share memories and photos at thackerbrothers.com.

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