Grace Ardin Crawford Wheeler

Aiken – Mrs. Grace Ardin Crawford Wheeler, 86, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Mrs. Wheeler was born in Savannah, GA, the daughter of the late George A. and Gladys V. Humphries Crawford, and grew up in Saluda, SC.  Grace was an instant friend to anyone she met, easy to talk to, kind, humble, quick-witted, and loyal to a ‘T.’ You could tell her anything, she was supportive and did not judge. Grace had a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh; she was fun and always dressed in the cutest way. Grace was a devoted mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother “Mema”. She was a wonderful cook, sharing her talents with her children and grandchildren with patience and love. Preparing food and witnessing family and friends enjoying it warmed her heart. She was a skilled artist, able to draw almost anything and her oil paintings are cherished family heirlooms. Grace enjoyed traveling, the beach, the mountains, and gardening. Breezie, her beloved cat, will remain with the family and be pampered until she joins Grace in Heaven. 

She is survived by her son, L. Michael (Jody) Wheeler, Aiken; her daughters, Lisa (Glenn) Garvin, Wagener, SC, and Leslie Wheeler, Aiken; grandchildren, Kristopher (Alexis) Howard, Joseph (Jennifer) Howard, Autumn (Jonathan) Grubbs, Richard Weisert, II; great-grandchildren, Kamden Howard, Hadley Mae Howard, Jackson Weatherford, Lila Grace Howard, Hilton Grubbs, and Alua Ardin Grubbs; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Porth; and Bo Padgett, her loving companion and best friend for ten years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Luther Eugene “Gene” Wheeler.

After twenty long years, Grace is now reunited with ‘My Gene’ again in heaven.

Her precious Bridgette (her poodle) will also be there to greet her.

Grace was also predeceased in death by her siblings Pat Kuehl, Douglas Crawford, and Freddy Crawford.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 15, 2024, in the Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home chapel with the Reverend Tyler Strange and Reverend Donnie Bates officiating. Interment will follow in Travis Park Cemetery, Saluda, SC, at 2:30 PM.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church (trinityumcaiken.org), the Aiken SPCA (letlovelive.org), or the Aiken County Animal Shelter (fotasaiken.org). 

 We wish to thank Anita Straway, who began working for Mom last August and became a part of the family quickly. We adore her and how she loved Mom and cared for her as a friend and loved one. God Dots, Anita knows. Also, Cheryl Gentry, who began visiting with Hospice, was quickly hired as part of Team Anita and fell in love with Mom too. We are eternally grateful for them both and thank God for them.  A special thanks to Gentiva Hospice for their dedicated service to Grace.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, March 14, 2024, at SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC.

Grace’s online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com