Elwyn Wheat

Mr. Elwyn Wheat, 70, died at MS Baptist Medical Center on January 11, 2010. Visitation will be at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. Services will be at the funeral home chapel on Thursday at 1 p.m. Interment will follow in Florence City Cemetery.\ \ Elwyn was a distinguished military veteran, serving during times of peace and during times of conflict. He retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4 and was awarded the Magnolia Cross for his service in the MS National Guard. He was instrumental in the growth and maintenance of the services thru his tireless efforts in training for Noncommissioned Officers and Specialist Schools.\ \ Elwyn devoted his life to furthering education in MS, beginning in vehicle maintenance and culminating his career as Associate State Superintendent of Education in MS. His efforts to advance education brought national recognition and made vocational education in MS the example that other states have followed. His focus was always on the students, influencing hundreds of thousands, giving them the opportunities to better their lives. \ \ Elwyn's true love was his family, building both with his time spent with them and with his hands. Love and labor went into his home that he shared with his beloved Anita. He leaves behind a legacy to his children and his grandchild of fairness, hard work and undying loyalty. This love extended not only to his blood relatives but to his in-laws as well welcoming Annette and Don Tynes and Antal & Terry Sarka in his family equally.\ \ He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Anita Wheat of Florence; two children: Philip and Tess Wheat of Austin, TX, Pam and Eric Smith of Florence; one precious grandchild, Kellyn Smith; two brothers: Harold Wheat and Jackie Wheat of Poplarville; two sisters: Patricia Sauls of Petal and Neta Faye Smith of Fords Creek, MS.\ \