Irma L. Wheat, an active citizen of Oak Bluffs and St. Petersburg, Fla., died peacefully on August 9 at the Falmouth Care and Rehabilitation Center in Falmouth. She was 96.

Mrs. Wheat, a daughter of the late James and Lucille Walker, spent her early years in Manhattan, N.Y. She was a businesswoman who, along with her husband, owned and operated a successful luncheonette and stationery store in Corona. The Wheats promoted and sponsored many social events for the community and were responsible for bringing well-known entertainers to the Long Island community.

In the 1950s, the Wheats moved to Roxbury, N.Y., a farming village where they purchased a 150-acre farm. It was in Roxbury that Irma, along with her husband, started and developed a major wholesale butter and egg bonded trucking business, Wheat’s Eggs Inc. During these years Wheat’s, the only African American bonded egg and butter trucker in New York State, purchased eggs from chicken farmers throughout the Catskill Mountains.

In 1962, the Wheats lost their only son, Donald Jr., age seven, in a tragic auto accident. Irma and Donald went to Europe for a few weeks to gather strength and to regroup. The trip grew into two years of extensive travel around Europe and Africa.

The Wheats returned to the United States but ultimately returned to Europe, purchased a villa in Spain and remained in Europe for seven years. Each year, they returned to the United States to celebrate the Christmas and New Year holidays with their family, and their family sojourned each summer to Spain. Grandchildren attended various camps in Europe while the Wheats and family adults traveled. These were exciting years for Irma Wheat and her family.

During the last 30 years of Mrs. Wheat’s life, she lived in Oak Bluffs and St. Petersburg, Fla. She enrolled in a painting class held at the building of the Cottagers, and here she discovered her previously unknown talent. Her paintings were displayed at various art galleries on the Vineyard and were purchased by numerous Vineyard and Florida residents.

Mr. and Mrs. Wheat represented St. Petersburg as delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago when former President William Clinton was nominated. They were active members of the Democratic Party and served on various committees. Mrs. Wheat was an active member of the Lakeview Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg.

While in Oak Bluffs, she was an avid bridge player and a charter member of the Martha’s Vineyard chapter of a national bridge association. She was a member of the Polar Bears group and served as a leader of the water exercises. For many years she served on various committees of the Cottagers’ organization, and until her death she was the oldest member.

Irma Wheat had a real zest for living, enjoyed traveling, the opera, museums, reading, the theatre, entertaining and being entertained. She was noted for her cheery disposition and her radiant smile.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Constance J. Batty of St. Petersburg and Oak Bluffs; and two grandchildren, Judith Batty Esq. and Alicia Batts Esq., as well as two great-grandchildren, all of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Ruth W. Miles of Washington and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by two children, Judith and Donald.

Contributions in her memory may be sent to Lakeview Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs MA 02557.