Mother Reaoda Wheeler "Baby Sister"

Mother Reaoda Wheeler lived a long and full life. The LORD called his Angel home on Monday, February 27, 2023, at home. Age 96 years young. Reaoda was born on January 17, 1927, to Acie Southall and Pearl Neuben-Southall in Brownsville, Tennessee. Reaoda’s mother passed at an early age, so she was raised by her grandparents, Stephen and Laura Neuben. Because Reaoda was the youngest, she was given the name “Baby Sister.”

Reaoda, Baby Sister, gave her life to Christ at an early age and attended Prospect Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee. As a young adult, Baby Sister traveled north to Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked for Cleveland Public Schools and a local nursing home. Reaoda retired from both jobs after 40+ years and relocated to Saginaw, Michigan, to help care for her grandchildren. Although Baby Sister had only one biological daughter, she cared for and nurtured many. She loved to cook, garden, and talk on the telephone. Reaoda was very family-oriented, and she will be greatly missed.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Bernadean Houston “Bonnie” Saginaw, Michigan; two grandsons, Marcel Sr., (TeArra) Craft, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wynton Houston, Saginaw, Michigan; three great-grandchildren, Stacy Tilson, Rielle Craft, and Marcel Craft II; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews including a special nephew, Hildred (Robin) Houston Jr., Cleveland, Ohio; special cousins, Lillie M. Sangster, Willie B. Johns, Charlene (Walt) Jones, and Delender (Evelyn) Holloway Sr., all of Saginaw, Michigan; someone near and dear to her heart, Winston Walker; two children she cared for Terrance Williams, Jr. and Amari White.

“Baby Sister” was preceded in death by her parents, Acie and Pearl Neuben Southall; husband, George Wheeler; one granddaughter, Reida Danielle Houston and her grandparents.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to her friend and neighbor Loretta Johnson; Alvis (Roy) Thompson; nurses, Taryn Christopher and Crystal Woods at American Hospice Care; Ivan Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.