Mary Frances Owens Sheffield, 88, passed away on Friday January 3rd, 2020 in Tampa, Florida.
Mary was born on December 15, 1931, in Geneva, Alabama. She grew up in Alabama and attended Geneva High School. She was a member of FHA and Beta Club, which enhanced her love of family and learning. She attended Gulf Coast Community College where she was a honor student. She met her late husband, Floyd Sheffield at a Florida rodeo, and soon after they were married on October 27, 1951. They lived in Parker, Florida for most of their married life while Floyd was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. After Floyd's death, she established the Master Sergeant Floyd Sheffield Scholarship Endowment at Haney Technical Center.
Mary was a member of The First Baptist Church of Parker and the St. Andrew Bay Quilters' Guild. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, winning numerous awards for quilts. The heirlooms she created will be passed on to loving family members for generations to come.
After Hurricane Michael devastated her hometown, with the help of her two sons and their wives, Patrick and Carolyn Sheffield and Dennis and Laurelyn Sheffield, Mary was evacuated to Tampa, Florida to be with her daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Jack Harris. Tampa quickly became her new home where she enjoyed an active lifestyle and made many new friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur Dewey Owens and Trixie Dixon Owens along with two brothers and one sister. She is survived by her four children including her daughter, Carlotta Gilbert, ten grandchildren, three sisters, one brother, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary died peacefully in her sleep as her loving son Dennis Sheffield and his wife Laurelyn were by her side to comfort her. A graveside service will be held on Saturday January 11th at 11:00 am at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.