Funeral services for Roger Wheat will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at St. Matthew Baptist Church, 2101 Walker Street, Picayune, Mississippi 39466. Rev. Dr. Michael Kelley will bring the eulogy. Burial will be in the Whitehead Family Cemetery, Carriere, Miss.
Roger “Skydiver” Wheat was born on Nov. 28, 1951 in Picayune, Mississippi, the son of the late John and Dorothy Smith Wheat. He departed this earthly life on Friday, March 18, 2016 at his residence in Sumter, S.C.
Mr. Wheat received his education in the public schools of Picayune, Miss. where he excelled on the football team during his high school years. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was trained as an Aircraft Mechanic. He was honorably discharged after serving 7 years.
He then attended Sumter Area Technical College in Sumter, S.C. where he received as Associate Degree in Machine Shop and General Technology.
He operated the Skydiver’s Club House in Sumter for many years. He later started his own business, Wheat Construction.
He was a proud member and served as treasurer of the Atlantic Avenue Checker Club. He was a self-professed evangelist and was always willing to bring the Word to anyone he met.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Wheat, and his two sisters, Jacqueline Smith Magee and Joanna Smith Taylor.
Mr. Wheat leaves to cherish his precious memories: his devoted wife, Linda Hannibal-Wheat; one son, Derrick McLeod, six daughters, Dr. Lacreasia Wheat-Hitchings (Andrew) of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Monique Wheat of Atlanta, Ga.; Latrelle Grant of Sumter; Tonya McLeod and Nicole McLeod, both of Sumter; and Dorothy Wheat of Dallas, Texas; nine grandchildren, Vincent Jr., Joshua, Tatianna, James (JJ), Santese, Naaisa, Terrelle, Marcus, and Calista; his loving niece who was raised as his sister, Samara Wheat of Picayune, Miss.; and a host of other nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
Baylous Funeral Home, 300 North Blanks Avenue, Picayune, MS 39466 is in charge of the funeral services.