Lillian Lamb

November 6, 1927 - August 14, 2012

Lillian Wheeler was the fourth of five children born to Annie Virginia Lee Wheeler and Joseph Wheeler, Sr. She is .preceded in death by all of her siblings; Joseph Wheeler Jr., James E. Wheeler, Helena Wheeler Lindsey and May Wheeler, all born in Alexandria, Virginia. “Lil", as she was known to many in Alexandria, grew up with her family, right across the street at 400 N. Patrick Street and around the corner at 312 1/2 N. Henry. She loved Third Church from a little girl, and served the Lord by leading out various departments under Pastor Samuel Ross, Pastor J. D. Peters, Pastor Harold Hunter, Pastor Spears, Pastor Charles Gee, Pastor Daniel Brown, and Pastor James V. Jordan. Aunt Lil would often bring her nieces and nephews to church with her and have them participate in the service. At times she would invite some of the ladies home for dinner, Mrs. Mary Dunlap, Mrs. Annie B. Rose (name sake for the senior apartments), Mrs. Viola Yancey and Mrs. Irene Dixon. Her two favorite mentors were, Mrs. Mary Gaddis and Mrs. Mary Yeager. Also, can't forget Mrs. Mary Addison who made Aunt Lil the birthday cakes and celebrated her birthdays with us at the nursing home. Aunt Lil and Mrs. Viola Wanzer, had lunch and hair appointments on Saturdays. She was an active member of the Ky Yi Social Club and the Elks. Aunt Lil worked hard; managing two jobs. She was employed by the Alexandria Public School System as a cafeteria aide at Jefferson Houston. She even took a few courses at Northern Virginia Community College in child psychology to enhance her knowledge and skills working with children. During the summer months, she had picnics in her yard for the children. Lil was also employed as a cashier with Giant Food on Heritage Avenue in Annandale, VA. She worked there for 25 years and held the position of job steward. The people who came through her checkout line knew her and loved her, calling her “Lil” or Mrs. Lamb. Her family loved her. She was good to her nephews and nieces. Her house was the “Hub” for the holiday dinners, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Fourth of July cookouts. Who could forget her big chocolate cake; she could cook! When she couldn't cook those chocolate cakes or find her car, we knew something was wrong. And here we are today. The story doesn’t end here. “There is a great getting up morning” (Rev. 21 and 22) and a family reunion. We look forward to that day! She leaves two nieces to cherish her memory; Mary Louise Cooper (Vernon) and Shirley Sanders-Steele, three cousins; Michael Linwood Lee from Maryland, De Carlo Smith of Chesapeake, VA and Karen Smith-Hill (Karl) of Norfolk, VA. Mrs. Lamb is also survived by grand nieces and nephews; April Flores, Tyrone Sanders (Christine),William T. Holt Jr.(Angela), Angela Sanders, Kirk Sanders (Linda), Diane Dickens, Kim Tucker (Sean) plus a host of great grand nieces and nephews, friends and church family. The viewing and visitation will be held at Third Baptist Church, 917 Princess St., Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, August 25, 2012 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 Interment, Bethel Cemetery, Alexandria, VA. Arrangements by Phillip Bell Sr. and Winona Morrissette-Johnson, P.A Please send all floral tributes to Third Church the morning of the service