Page 21 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine

Walter also worked several other sizes of RVs and used
jobs, using his carpentry skills them to travel to the
and retail business acumen. That New Mexico mountains
led to his second career in the and across the United
management of hardware stores, States. They liked seeing
such as Bowman’s Lumber and new places and learning
T-Bird Home Centers. With Walter’s the history of an area.
encouragement, Charlotte returned Walter has always loved
to school at Eastern New Mexico fishing, and Charlotte
University to earn a teaching degree, enjoys reading. She has
driving back and forth from Roswell written and published
to Portales every day. With three two children’s books
teenagers and all of their activities, it and an e-book on
was a hectic time! teaching.
Charlotte began teaching at El In 2004, Walter and and encourage those in hospitals
Capitan Elementary during the Charlotte moved to Lubbock, and care homes.
1974-1975 school year. Within a Texas, where they have been active Walter and Charlotte have always
span of four years, from 1975 to members of Raintree Christian wanted to love and serve others as
1979, all three of the Wheat children Church. For several years, Charlotte part of their own love story. They
graduated high school and left for sang in the Lubbock-based “Sweet have lived and believed the Bible
college. Charlotte then earned a Adelines” show choir. Walter built verse “Love never fails” … even if it
masters’ degree in Education. The another tool shed and continued his begins in a jail!
Wheats also finished a DIY remodel carpentry hobby, while they both
of their house and lived to tell the enjoyed working on their lawn and
tale! flower gardens.

In 1985, Walter was transferred In 2018, Walter
as manager to the T-Bird Home and Charlotte
Center in Artesia, New Mexico, became residents
and Charlotte obtained a teaching of Carillon
position at Abo Elementary and later Retirement
became a Title I Reading teacher. Community in
Together, Charlotte and Walter Lubbock, where
landscaped their new home, and they have made
Charlotte participated in the local many friends. The
garden club. The Wheats were also Wheats are avid
involved with Toastmasters for Skip-Bo players,
many years. and Charlotte
participates
Walter built a huge workshop in a writing
and did carpentry projects, group. Among
while Charlotte spoke at various many activities,
women’s groups and recorded a Walter enjoys
tape of Christian songs. Walter and playing Bingo.
Charlotte were committed members He often uses his
of Valley Christian Church, and winnings, which
Charlotte led singing for 25 years at are Carillon Bistro
the Guadalupe Christian Women’s coupons, to buy
Retreat. Later, Walter took a job his sweetheart
with Pecos Valley Telephone Co- her favorite
op as purchasing agent until his milkshake.
retirement.
Whenever they
Through the years, Walter and can, the Wheats
Charlotte owned several different still try to visit

Lubbock Senior Link 21