Owen Carter Wheat
Owen Carter Wheat, 85, of Bedford, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Owen was born in Wheats Valley, Bedford, VA on July 19, 1941; the only child of Carter Wheat and Mamie Bell Wheat, both deceased. Owen was married for 46 years to Eilene Pratt Wheat. Their beloved daughter, Doris Lynn Wheat preceded her parents in death in 1993. Owen also is predeceased by second wife Reva Orange Wheat who passed last year. They were married for 12 years.
Owen is survived by step daughters ,Cheryl Nester and Drema Fogus and husband Kenny and step grandchildren, Rachel Smith and husband Mike, Brandon Nester and wife Megan, and Jared Fogus and wife Jenny. Step great grandchildren include Ainsley Nester, Ander Fogus and Mavis Fogus. Other survivors include sister-in-law, Hattie McMillan and several special nieces and nephews. Owen is also survived by many friends and his church family at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Owen proudly served his country when he joined the U. S. Navy in 1960 and served for 4 years. Later Owen worked at the Silk Mill in Bedford and retired from Adams Motor Company in Lynchburg.
His hobbies included wood working and he enjoyed making gifts for others. Owen partnered with the Bob Hartman family and built a beach house on the Outer Banks, NC in the early 1980’s where he enjoyed many years of sport-fishing and spending time with family and friends. Owen and his former wives hosted many special Christmas Eves and Thanksgiving dinners at their home through the years.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to staff at Davis and McDaniel Veterans Care Center for the kindness and care shown to Owen over the past several years.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, those wishing to, may send donations to Alzheimer’s Association - www.alz.org or Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1074 Circle K Rd., Montvale, VA 24122.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 12:00 at Updike Funeral Chapel/Bedford. The funeral will follow one hour later at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.
