Obituary of Robert A. Wheatley

Robert Wheatley was welcomed into the loving arms of the late Thomas Cornelius Wheatley and Mary Anita Short on Saturday, November 24, 1934, in Baltimore, Maryland. The new bundle of joy born instantly became the shared responsibility of his older brother Daniel Wheatley, who preceded in death. Before the light of a clear dawn filled the windows of his Sinai Hospital room on Sunday, June 14, 2020, Robert Wheatley transitioned to be with the ones there when he first opened his eyes and those endeared by his warm personality, commitment to outreach and unwavering devotion to God in and outside of the church. A proud graduate of Frederick Douglas High School's Class of 1953, Robert made his first smart decision as an adult the following year when he married his high school sweetheart--Rachel Irene Parker. These newlyweds soon began creating a definition of 'home' that would span their nearly 60 years of marriage. The residences changed as the family grew. From Harlem Park to Wildwood Parkway, Robert would have the blessing of seeing each of his five daughters--Michelle, Kristina, Anita, Rachel and Roberta--take their first steps each of those addresses. Outdoor time with his family was spent hiking the terrain of Patapsco State Park seeing and educating his daughters on the splendor of nature. The joy of watching his grand and later his great-grand-children crawl-to-walk across the soft carpet of the living room floor came at his house on Hartsdale Road during holidays and random weekend visits. Robert always cheered on the home teams. He loved the Baltimore Orioles and supported the Ravens years after his beloved Colts left. His hard work since day one gave him the ability to provide this house of love by way of the various titles he wore throughout the City of Baltimore. In the early days of fatherhood, Robert majored in English at Morgan College while working for The United States Postal Service and Domino Sugar to support his growing family. Upon graduation, Robert entered the classroom as an elementary school teacher. The level of servitude to his city was another priceless trait Robert embodied. As an active member of the Urban League, he assisted in the planning of initiatives geared to improve the quality of life for residents in the areas of economic development, housing and education. His time as an Administrator with the City of Baltimore's Off-Street Parking Division was his most tenured position. One which he held until his retirement. Robert's continuous devotion to the faith that blessed him with such a life made him a preeminent fixture on Sundays at St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church with Rachel always at his side. He sang of the glorious mysteries of his Lord and Savior in the pews and later in the choir adding his rangy tenor to the chorus of praise. His appreciation of Bible Study gave him a new classroom to where he was able to teach as well as listen to the new perspectives on The Good Book from his peers. These sessions with circles of believers on evenings and weekends prompted Robert to extend his outreach by serving as President of the Brothers of St. Cecilia and leading the St. Cecilia's prison ministry. Above and beyond. These are the two words that define Robert Wheatley's call to the family he loved and the community he greatly served. Robert Wheatley's life will forever be cherished in the lives of his surviving children. Michelle Bass (Phillip), Kristina Watkins, Anita Green (Gary), Rachel Kelly and Roberta Wheatley. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, niece Allison Martin and nephew Daniel Wheatley--and a host of cousins. His Sister-in-Law Tennie Johnson and the rest of the Parker family.