WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: Wheeler makes Hamlet railroading history with Seaboard job

Our featured leading lady today made history on June 21, 1977 when she was named the first female to serve as the assistant terminal superintendent at the Hamlet terminal for the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, now CSX.

The historic appointment of Lois Ray Wheeler marked not only a first for a woman at the Hamlet terminal, but for the entire Seaboard Coast Line Railway system that ran from New York to Florida. 

The oldest of six children, Wheeler, was born and raised in the neighboring community of Laurel Hill in Scotland County. After graduating high school in 1951, Wheeler’s father took her to find a job. Having always been intrigued by the trains in Hamlet, they stopped by the Hamlet terminal, where the superintendent T.P. Moody told her to go ask Mr. Huguelet, who was over the clerks, for a job. At 17 years old, she began her career with the railway system as a clerk. After 17 years of service as a crew clerk, Wheeler’s dedication and success was acknowledged with the historic promotion to an executive position. 

In addition to providing her with a monumental career, the former SCL in Hamlet afforded Wheeler another opportunity that changed her life — her husband, Marvin Wheeler, whom she met while training him as an employee for the railway system. They married in 1952 and made their home in Hamlet, where Marvin had grown up. The couple moved to Rockingham, where she remained for 57 years until her recent move to Moore County to be closer to her daughter, Cammilla. The couple also had a son, Marvin Jr. 

Wheeler attended both Roberdel Baptist Church in Rockingham and First Baptist Church in Hamlet, singing in the choir at both. Along with being known as the head woman in a male-dominated terminal, Wheeler was the go-to seamstress in the community. 

Join us today in celebrating this pioneer of a woman, who is responsible for major strides for women in leadership in the railway system.

Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority. Republished from visitrichmondcounty.com. Throughout March, Visit Richmond County will feature a local leading lady in honor of Women’s History Month.