Judy's Memorial - Due to the current public health situation, and not wanting to jeopardize anyone's health, we feel it is prudent to postpone Judy's memorial. If you would like to be kept updated, please send an email to: jw74spitfire-memorial@yahoo.com

Judy Kathryn Wheeler (nee: Webb), 70ish, of Sherwood received her ultimate healing Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from a body that could no longer sustain her vibrant and passionate soul.

After 15 months on Hospice, Judy drifted silently into a peaceful slumber. She was accompanied through her transition by a host of friends and family—her ever passionate husband, James Wheeler II by her side through her final days.

Judy began life in the first half of the 20 ^th Century and met the man of her dreams, James Wheeler II and they married in 1987 spending the next 33 years in "happily ever after". She leaves behind an older brother, Willie "Bill" Webb of North Little Rock; three sons: Johnny Peters of North Little Rock; Carl (Kimberly) Peters of Broken Arrow, OK; and Keith Wheeler of Portland, OR; two grandsons, James Wheeler III and Joshua Wheeler. Nearly every single person we've communicated with in recent days has referred to her as "Mamma Judy" because everyone was her "kid" even if they were her age.

Judy is preceded in death by her mother Suzie Kathryn Webb and many of her fur babies including Rebel and Annie in most recent years.

That's the gist of it, but more importantly than mere dates, it is the living between the dates that is important and Judy did a LOT of living! She never met a stranger and loved like she lived, with vibrant compassion for every being, especially dogs. She had a real hard time resisting petting a friend's guide dog while the dog was in harness working. She resisted, and although she knew she couldn't pet Magic, she always asked anyway "just in case".

Judy was quite well rounded in her interests. She sold aviation insurance early on and ultimately became the North Little Rock Airport Manager and was instrumental in founding the Arkansas Airport Operator's Association (AAOA) in 1985 where she remained a member until her last breath. Judy retired from the North Little Rock Airport in 2004 and expressed how the time just flew by.

Judy also had a passion for cars and especially racing. She was a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) from 1997 until 2005 and raced Fiats in the auto cross circuit. Racing was a passion and she continually taught others how to properly drive a manual vehicle, bank curves and zip up hills and mountains.

Judy and Jim purchased "Baby", a 1974 Triumph Spitfire and joined the British Motoring Club of Arkansas in 1999 where she served as Triumph Marque Leader at one time and was a member throughout the remainder of her triumphant days.

In 2013, Judy became the secretary of the Drive Away Cancer charity and not only scrolled meeting minutes but also actively participated in drives, visits and functions of the charity. A mere two days before she left us she asked when we were going to go on a "Ginger" trip again as she was ready to get out of the house.

Judy had a passion for shopping. She spent countless hours and dollars at Savers, Goodwill, Big Lots and any thrift store she happened to pass. She had a penchant for finding the deal of the century every single time she walked through a door. In the last year, when she began having trouble with endurance, she discovered "Wish" on her smart phone and began purchasing various helpful things we never knew we needed or that the item even existed. There are still packages arriving in the post and sometimes we have a quiz on "name that item" because we just can't figure out what some of them are. But wait, there's more!

Judy also loved planning and attending parties and galas. She seemed to have a way of coaxing people in to help by saying, "What, when or where do WE want to…". If you were in close proximity she was able to quickly convince you she absolutely needed your help. Over the past three years she created "Bulgogi Night" which we would do about every three months or so. No, bulgogi is Korean barbeque, not a fancy way of shooting the bull although there was always a lot of that going on. Every time we inevitably ended up in a "pun war" Judy would just shake her head and groan.

Many of the events Judy either attended or created involved costumes. She is best known for her rendition of "Baby Bear" and the "Beatle Bears". Judy thought she might get into decorating cakes and quickly decided she was better at helping clean up than she was with the decorating. Judy did, however make beautiful flower arrangements and diligently tended to her mother's grave.

While we are deeply lamenting the lack of her physical presence, we know that Judy will never fully leave us; and as we are sad, we must remember that we wouldn't hurt if we hadn't loved and we haven't lived if we haven't loved. Judy loved pretty much everyone she met and showed her compassion for her fellow beings daily. Even in her own dark and saddened days she had a way of shining a light on the paths of others as they shed tears of sorrow. Even today we feel her warmth all around us.

We've been a little discombobulated without Judy here to plan her memorial since she always did the planning, directing and execution of nearly every event. We have finally come to plan the ultimate (on a small scale) send-off-finger-food-pot-luck-party to celebrate everything Judy. We may or may not dress in costumes and we plan to have a drop-in visitation as listed below.

The celebration will be held on March 28 ^th , 2020 from 1:00-4:00 PM at 8021 NORTH Guenther Road, Roland, AR 72135. Please don't park in the fluffy grass (under the trees is okay). Visitors may pop in at the above date and times and feel free to bring a finger food to share. NOTE: Be sure to put "North" Guenther in your GPS or you will end up about 12 miles away at a stranger's home. Although said family might not be upset if you show up randomly at their home with food, they might wonder why there is a sudden mass of people at their door. While heading to North Guenther, if you pass Pinnacle Mountain, you've gone too far.

At Judy's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Almost Home Shelter and Rescue in Van Buren, Arkansas; Drive Away Cancer; Baptist Hospice or the animal shelter of your choice.

Interment will be held at the Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery across from the North Little Rock Airport in Sherwood. Cremation Services of Arkansas (501)313-5431