Grace Echols Sheffield

[Clark Funeral Home]

Grace Echols Sheffield, age 95, of Hiram, GA, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Grace was born on the Echols family farm in Paulding County, August 14, 1914, the daughter of Robert Lumpkin and Sara Sis Echols. Siblings were Eunice, Luther, Mina Mae, Carrie and Robert. Poplar Springs Baptist Church was their church home.

She and other neighboring children walked to Whelan School for their early education and finished at Hiram High School. She then attended the University of Georgia for one year, and transferred to West Georgia College where she graduated in 1934.

At the tender age of 20, she began teaching at the one room school at Burnt Hickory. In those days, the teachers boarded with the parents in the community during the week. Also, the three Rs were emphasized with occasional visits to the swimming hole.

She married J. C. Sheffield in 1936. Twin girls, Judy and Julia, were born to this union December 29, 1942.

Besides teaching, Grace was employed at Owenby Manufacturing in Marietta, Southern Latex in Austell, and retired at age 62 from Coats and Clark, Clarkdale, GA.

Since retirement in 1976, Grace has led a very active and happy life, bringing entertainment and liveliness to all who enjoyed her company. She was outgoing and friendly and blessed with a sharp wit, which attracted many friends, both young and old. To quote her favorite columnist, Lewis Grizzard, one of his big worries was that Somewhere there was a great party going on, and Im missing it.

She was the most dedicated of single mothers. Many long hours were spent at the sewing machine making all those beautiful identical outfits,

along with many other sacrifices to make sure her daughters were provided for in difficult years.

Survivors include children, Judy (Ted) Cooper and Julia Lindsay; grandchildren, Ron (Holly) Cooper, Cheri (Jeff) Garris, Robin (Shannon) Jarrett; great-grandchildren, Claudia Cooper, Max Vanmeter and Conner Jarrett; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 9, 2010, at 3:00 PM, from Clark Funeral Home, with Reverend Harry Michael and Reverend George Barnett officiating. Interment will follow in Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, with Matt Echols, Brent Fowler, Ron Cooper, Shannon Jarrett, Jeff Garris, Max Vanmeter, and Conner Jarrett. Honorary pallbearers will be John Clark and Sam Clark. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to: Becky Strickland Echols Memorial Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 2004, Hiram, GA 30141.

Clark Funeral Home, Hiram, GA, is in charge of arrangements.

(www.samclarkfuneralhome.com)

[tess]

she was a Wonderful Lady....Admired and Loved by many...I am fortunate to have known her ...She lit up the room when she was there...Go in Peace Miss Grace

[Prince4ever]

she was a Wonderful Lady....Admired and Loved by many...I am fortunate to have known her ...She lit up the room when she was there...Go in Peace Miss Grace

I totally agree!!!