Never in the back row

Angela navigated the world with relentless determination, impeccable style, and an infectious laugh! She never let a wheelchair or anyone's expectations limit where she went or what she built.

Her Story

Before she was “Hot Wheels,” she was Angela.

Angela Ruth Pryor Gosnell was born in 1942, the oldest of eight children. Being the oldest meant growing up quickly. She became a second mother in the household, helping care for her younger siblings and developing the independence, organization, and ability to think three steps ahead that would become unmistakably Angela.

Polio changed her body and eventually the way she moved through the world, but it did not determine the size of the world she intended to experience.

Angela became an engineer, a wife, mother of two sons, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a Padgett Queen, played tennis, snorkeled, traveled, flew whenever adventure called, and loved the beach. For more than four decades, New Smyrna Beach held a special place in her life.

As the world became more accessible, Angela took full advantage of it. Her wheelchair wasn't a reason to stay home—it was her transportation to wherever she intended to go. Events, vacations, concerts and experiences were there to be had, and accessible seating frequently put Hot Wheels right where she belonged: up front. ♿👑

There Was Always Something Going On

Angela loved having hobbies and projects. She was a crafter who enjoyed making things with her hands and finding new ways to keep herself busy and creative.

And if there was a game on, there was a good chance Angela was watching it.

🏈 Football. 🏀 Basketball. ⚾ Baseball. College or professional—it didn't particularly matter. She loved sports and loved the game itself. Sports were simply part of the soundtrack of her home.

She also believed occasions deserved to be celebrated properly.

Angela decorated for everything. Holidays, seasons and special occasions were opportunities to transform the house, and Halloween held a particularly special place in her heart. Of course, Halloween also provided excellent cover for one of Angela's other talents: pulling a good prank. 🎃😂

She Had Standards

Angela took pride in her home and in herself.

She was meticulous about her appearance, appreciated proper etiquette and believed there was a right way to present yourself, host people and take care of what you had.

She was a fantastic cook, an organized homemaker and a financially savvy planner. She budgeted, prepared, maintained and anticipated. If everyone else was figuring out what needed to happen next, Angela had probably already considered the three things that needed to happen afterward.

Her attention to detail wasn't reserved for special occasions.

It was simply how she lived.

And Then There Was Her Sense of Humor

For all that proper etiquette and organization, Angela had a wonderfully mischievous streak.

Her sisters knew her as “Twisted Sister #1.”

Online, she chose an equally appropriate handle:

Hot Wheels.

She could be glamorous and practical. Proper and mischievous. Nurturing and formidable. Creative and analytical.

She raised two boys, helped raise siblings, built a family spanning generations, cooked meals people still remember, decorated the house for every occasion, kept projects going, watched the game, traveled whenever she could—and apparently possessed the ability to bring a grown man to his knees when necessary. 😂

Angela didn't spend her life trying to prove that a woman in a wheelchair could live fully.

She simply lived fully.

She worked.
She traveled.
She flew.
She snorkeled.
She played tennis.
She crafted.
She cooked.
She decorated.
She watched the game.
She raised a family.
She planned.
She laughed.
She loved.
She showed up.

And while the world was still learning how to make room for people like Angela,

she kept her wheels rolling. ♿❤️

Her Story, In Her Own Words

Angela left something especially valuable behind: her own account of her life and accomplishments.