Mrs. Muriel Louisa Oakley Walburn, 77, of Mocksville, died Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at her home.

She was born May 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C., to the late George and Amelia Clara Virginia Thomas Oakley. Mrs. Walburn grew up in Seat Pleasant, MD, and graduated from Central High School.

She had a beautiful soprano voice and had the lead in several high school musicals. After graduation, she sang with the American Opera Company in Washington, D.C., and continued singing solos in several church choirs.

Mrs. Walburn worked briefly with the telephone company before marrying her first husband, Daniel Wheeler, Sr. and becoming a home maker and mother to their three children, Dana, James, and Daniel, Jr.

She babysat in the home for many years and took care of many children. Mrs. Walburn then became a teacher's aide (TA), first for special education children and then students at risk in an alternate school. Having an amazing gift to connect with troubled youth, she worked as a TA for over 30 years, retiring in 2016.

In 1990, she married Charles Walburn and they lived in Northern Virginia before relocating to NC last spring.

Mrs. Walburn loved to paint and go on painting retreats with her sister, Amelia and many of her painting friends. She loved to cook and bake – especially chocolate chip cookies and sour cream cakes, and have her family all together. The highlight every year for her was the annual family beach trip to Emerald Isle, with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Edward Walburn; children, Dana Fruits (Kevin), James Wheeler, and Daniel Wheeler, Jr. (Valerie); siblings, Amelia Brandenburg (Gene) and George Oakley (Arjunia); grandchildren, Jessica Wheeler, Kendrick Fruits (Alyssa), Allie Fruits (John), Kademon Wheeler, Ashton Wheeler, and Oakley Wheeler; great-grandson, Keller Fruits; stepchildren, Julie Mullins (Brian), and Susan Spicer (Eric); stepgrandchildren, Jeremy Walburn, Gillian Hague (Scott), Derek Spicer, and Ryan Mullins; stepgreat-granddaughters, Rose and Olivia Hague; and lots of loved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Tom Nesbit officiating.

The service will be available to view on the funeral home website.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 261 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com