Kevin Marchands Wheaton was born March 12, 1959, in Nashville, the first child of Homer R. and Vesta (Rhodes) Wheaton. The union was also blessed with a second child, a baby girl, Rise Lynn (Wheaton) Pope, Kevin’s only sibling. Kevin departed his earthly home on April 1, 2023, preceded in death by his mother.
Services will be held as follows: Public walk-through, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Friday, April 7, 2023, at Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors, 2500 Clarksville Highway. On Saturday, April 8, 2023, at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, 625 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Family Visitation, 10:30 am – 11:30 am; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Service, 11:30 am; Celebration of Life, 12:00 Noon. The service can be viewed on live stream via Facebook at Lewis-WrightFD. Burial follows at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Lane at 2:00 pm.
Kevin professed his faith in Christ at an early age at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, where he worshipped, fellowshipped, and developed life-long relationships.
Educated first at St. Vincent de Paul School, then Father Ryan High School, he transferred to North Nashville High School, graduating as one of the top students, selected “Best All Around.” As quarterback #11 in football, he also excelled at Track, with three events the fastest times in the state.
Kevin majored in Engineering at Tennessee State University, truly enjoying tutoring fellow students in math and test-taking strategies.
In 1978, at TSU, Kevin pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, Alpha Theta Chapter, standing tall and proud as #15 for his line, the “Unpredictable 15.” His Fraternity Brothers meant very much to him, and he meant as much to them, as a much-beloved member of the Fraternity.
Kevin began his professional career at Clopay Industries, later transitioning to the Berry Group, where he was well respected for his expertise, working to perfect safe material production.
Kevin found true love, marrying Tanya Baxter on August 26, 1988, Tanya was his rock and strength throughout their 34-year marriage. They began each morning at 5:00 am with coffee and their Bible, discussing the daily scripture and the events of the day. Kevin and Tanya were blessed with one child, a son, Kevin Marchands Wheaton, II, born June 16, 1995, who brought joy to his father every day, golfing, spending quality time together, traveling, and sharing a love of hats.
Kevin leaves to mourn and cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Tanya Baxter-Wheaton; son, Kevin M. Wheaton, II; father, Homer R. Wheaton; sister, Rise’ Wheaton-Pope, brother-in-law, Charles “Chuckie” Pope; sisters in law Rosalind Baxter, Yvonne Katallage, Sandra Denise Baxter, and Shaquana Baxter; brothers in law Kawan Baxter and Ravon (Alicia) Baxter and Marvin (Denappa) Brown; nieces Kellye Pope, Sierra and Giavanni Baxter, Jade Baxter Jasmine; nephews Zachary (April) Pope, Anthony and Joshua; loving and devoted aunt Myrtis Childs; devoted cousins Marsha (Trimane) Dunn, Henry Moore, Vivian (Larry) Wilhoite, and Thersa Pilate; beloved co-workers at Berry Group, brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Theta Chapter, and his close friend David Todd.
