Sylvia Elizabeth Seabrook Wheeler

Elizabeth Seabrook Wheeler, also known as “sister” and “Sula” was born on November 10, 1940, to the late Sylvester and Sylvia Seabrook in Walterboro, South Carolina. She was raised in Ruffin, South Carolina by her uncle and aunt Enoch and Evelyn Seabrook, whom she lived with   shortly after the death of her mother at the age of eight. Elizabeth was affectionately known by many names:  Sister, Sula, Ma, Lillie Mae, Grandma, Chu-chu, Grannie, and G-Ma.

She completed her education at Ruffin High School with the class of 1958. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she married Arto Wheeler of Ruffin, South Carolina. From this union five children were born. While in Boston Sula worked for various major companies: Polaroid, Gillette, Wonder Bread before she settled in at General Motors and retired from there.

Sula enjoyed cooking, watching western movies, the Price is Right and Perry Mason faithfully. In her past time, she loved to be around her grands and great- grandchildren as well as spending time with her sisters.

Although she didn’t talk a lot among people around her, she did speak what was on her mind and in her heart. She was never one to raise her voice at anyone.

“Sister” to her community has been a member of Buckhead United Methodist Church for many years while growing up in Ruffin and upon her return home.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sylvester and Sylvia Seabrook, her husband, Arto Jay Wheeler, Sr. and two sons Arto Jay Wheeler Jr.  and Michael A Wheeler.

Sula leaves many fond memories to be cherished by her daughters, Dianne M. Johnson, of Walterboro, South Carolina, Delores Wheeler of Ruffin, South Carolina, Sylvia Theresa Wheeler of Zebulon, North Carolina, and bonus daughter, Willeka Sanders (Shawn) of Boston, Massachusetts; grandchildren-Joseph A Johnson of  Walterboro, South Carolina, Azzara Wheeler of  Maricopa , Arizona, Jeremy Johnson of  Walterboro, South Carolina, Lakiesha Johnson of  Boston, Massachusetts, Armani Wheeler of  Maricopa, Arizona, Justin Phillips of Walterboro, South Carolina , James E. Wheeler and Tyler Heine of  Weymouth, Massachusetts; great- grandchildren,  James E Wheeler II, Justice Johnson, Payton Wheeler, Mason Trusty and Daisy Parker; siblings Richard Williams (Florene) of Sylvania, Georgia, Essie Mae Williams of  Covington, Georgia, Lee Seabrook of Jacksonville, Florida and Bonnie Mae Gatewood of Plant City, Florida; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Wheeler of Piedmont, North Carolina  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime good friend,  Vernell “Dunky” Lewis. The void will be extremely felt by her remaining children.

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