Mrs. Clara J. Wheat, affectionately known as “Sister” or “Jeanette,” went home to be with the Lord on November 8, 2021; one year, one month, and one day after the passing of her dearly beloved husband of 62 years, Pastor Edward Wheat.  She and her twin, Clarence “Brother” Howard were born June 20, 1939 in Bessemer, Alabama, to the late Mr. and Mrs. William L. and Amanda Howard.  Clara confessed her belief in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Starlight Baptist Church in Bessemer, AL.  She BELIEVED GOD and served as Deaconess and in many other capacities at Mt. Olive Baptist Church until 1992 when her husband was called to Pastor the flock at Morning Star Baptist Church.  She continued her service to God and was a faithful member for many years at Morning Star Baptist until her passing.  Clara retired from Akron Public Schools after 35 years of service.

After graduating from Wenonah High in Alabama, Clara relocated to Akron, Ohio.  Shortly after arriving in Akron, she began attending Baptist Training Union (BTU).   It was there, she met her future husband, Edward Wheat, who was an instructor at BTU at the time.  As she attended BTU and studied Edward, she became very interested in the man with the deep baritone voice and his strong desire to preach the Word of God.  After spending much time together, and with a lot of praying, the “instructor” recalled the instruction from the Word of God “It was not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him”.  On May 18, 1958, Edward Wheat and his help meet, Clara Howard, became one and were joined together in holy matrimony and they remained on their honeymoon for 62 blessed years! When they became one, they became a team!  They were rarely seen without the other. They loved walking hand-in-hand with each other and were always seen holding hands at home and wherever they ventured out in the world. They believed the words in Mark 10:9 “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder”!  Clara LOVED her role as being the dedicated loving wife to her “Sweetie” who spoiled her beyond words and she would always respond with “I spoiled him too”. Her love for her husband was so strong that after his earthly journey was complete, she longed even more to be with our Savior and join Wheat in the presence of the Lord. She loved being the devoted mother of six, the adoring grandmother of twelve and the precious “GGM” of five.

Clara was also known as the Classy Lady with the extraordinary classy hats and phenomenal suits to match.   Her suits and hats were always in sync with each other.  She loved hats and made any hat look good!  She had all types of hats;–hats with fur, hats with feathers, hats with jewels and pearls, hats with flowers, hats that stood tall, hats that swooped low, hats worn to the front, to the back or to the side.  She had all colors and styles.  Each of the hats were all so unique in form and fashion, just as she was uniquely formed and fashioned by our God.

Clara J. Wheat was a very special person to many people and their families in so many ways at home, church, or work.  During her tenure in the Akron School System, she mentored, mothered, tutored and helped so many families and their children to be as successful as possible.   If she saw a need to help anyone, she would be sure that the need was met, whether it was washing clothes for children who came to school or church with unclean clothes, buying lunch tickets to feed a child or children with no lunch, providing neighborhood kids with food, clothes and literally taking the coat off her back to ensure a child would be warm.  She would always quote the words of Jesus “it is more blessed to give than to receive”.   She had the gift of giving and a heart of service for all.  She always labored to improve the lives of others. She was such a caring, kind, loving person, always wearing a big smile on her face. She and Pastor Wheat could do all these things because of teamwork and their love and commitment to God and each other because with God, all things are possible.  If she could help somebody as she passed along, if she could cheer somebody with a word or song, if she could show somebody they were travelling wrong, then her living would not be in vain. If she could do her duty as a Christian ought, if she could bring back beauty to a world so wrought, if she could spread God’s message that the Master taught, then her living would not be in vain!  Clara J. Wheat was a woman of faith and a tireless advocate for all and her living was NOT in vain.

Clara was preceded in death by her kindhearted, gentle, devoted, deeply-loved husband, Pastor Edward Wheat; parents, William and Amanda Howard; mother-in-law, Annie L. Wheat-Graham; three brothers, two sisters and countless other unforgettable relatives.

She leaves to cherish her legacy and precious memories her six priceless children — four handsome dedicated sons, Bruce (Jeane, deceased) Wheat of Johns Creek, Georgia, Clifford, Alex, Sr. and Frederick Wheat all of Akron, Ohio; two beautiful  devoted daughters, Donielle (William) Stephens and Etta Y. (Wheat) Gant both of Akron, Ohio; 12 powerful future-leader grandchildren, Yolanda “Yonnie”; Ja’Lyan (Joshua); Alexis, Nicole, Lamar, Alex, Jr., Kendall, Johnetta, JohnEdward, Jayden, EdwardWade and Jazlyn; 5 adorable great-grandchildren Korde’, Cayden, Nalah, Jaxson and Jaycob; precious sister, Minnye Crenshaw of Bessemer, Alabama; dearest sister-in-law, Dorothy Marie Howard of Birmingham, Alabama and a host of treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.