Edna J. Sheldon's Obituary
Edna Jewel Sheldon was born on May 13, 1934 in Overton, Texas, the oldest of 5 children (3 girls and 2 boys) born to Russell and Dela Mae Stanley.
At the age of 16, Edna had a traumatic life altering incident that forever changed the direction of her life. She was in a car accident that killed her fiancée, whom she was to soon wed and Edna lay in a coma for 13 days, her family uncertain if she would live or die. But live she did, for God had a plan and a purpose for her to fulfill.
Not long after this, she met Harry Sheldon and a the young age of 17 and him, 19 they were married on July 23, 1951 and were married almost 62 years.
Edna and Harry settled in Kilgore, Texas and began their family. Here two sons, Rick and Greg were born to them. In 1955, Harry in search of work moved his family out to the Northwest settling in Tillamook, Oregon. Here Edna gave birth to two more children, a daughter, Myra and a son, Sam. This completed their family. In 1962 Edna and Harry moved once more, again Harry in search of work. This time they settled in Tacoma, WA where they lived over 50 years.
During this time Edna was mainly a homemaker, caring for her husband and family. There was a brief moment when she thought she would try working outside the home. It lasted all of “one day” when she and the boss didn’t quite see “eye to eye”, and she decided that wasn’t for her.
She was truly a very devoted wife and mother and eventually a very devoted grandmother and great grandmother as well. Edna loved caring for her family and one of her greatest joys and hobbies was cooking for them and others. She would spend countless hours reading through cookbooks and recipes. As her health declined, she spent less time in the kitchen – yet you would always hear her talk about how she was going to make this pie and that cake, for she loved to serve others and this brought such great joy to her as well as smiles on the faces of the recipients of her time spent in the kitchen.
More than all this, first and foremost, Edna was/is a child of God, a daughter of the King, a servant of the Most High. Her Lord always first and foremost in her heart. On September 4, 2005 at the young age of 71, Edna was baptized into Christ, identifying with her Lord and Savior in his death, burial and resurrection. That day there was such an inexpressible joy on her face that could not be contained. Edna was a strong woman of faith, that faith quietly demonstrated as she prayed for her family, unseen by others but seen by her Lord. You would often hear her say, “If it is the Lord’s will”.
Edna demonstrated to us what it is to live victoriously with pain and suffering, always remaining optimistic and hopeful despite her great physical trial.
The Lord called his daughter, Edna, home on the morning of February 14, 2013. The reality of the faith and hope she carried in her heart was realized that morning. So, today we celebrate her homecoming and we rejoice with her – she is free at last! She Lives!
What’s your fondest memory of Edna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edna?
Share a story where Edna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edna you’ll never forget.
How did Edna make you smile?