Sheila M Williams-Griffis' Obituary
Sheila Williams-Griffis was born October 23, 1963 in Nuremburg, Germany to Charlie and Bertha Mae Williams. Sheila was the youngest of two children. Her mother, father and brother Larry Williams preceded her in death.
Sheila attended school overseas as she was a child of a military family. She completed High School in 1981. Sheila continued her education by attending Pierce College and received her AAS Degree in Social Service-Mental health in 1993, Evergreen State College in 1998 receiving her BA Degree and City University receiving her master’s degree in counseling in 2014.
Sheila overcame great obstacles in her life. While in treatment for addiction, she testified that the Lord spoke to her and said, “if you serve me, I’ll set you free.” After this, Sheila gave her life to Christ. God kept his word and delivered her not only from addiction, but from every level of the court system that she had to go through. While in treatment, Sheila met Robert Griffis in November 1989. They were married on May 16, 1993. To their union was born one child, Jordan Williams. Sheila loved her family, especially her granddaughter Leilah.
After high school, Sheila worked for Clover Park School District as a Para Educator at Evergreen Elementary School on Fort Lewis, WA where she began her education career. In 1993, Sheila worked for the Sunrise Pre-School ECEAP Program after working for Sunrise for a year, Sheila began her career with the Tacoma Public School District as a para-Educator in the ECEAP program. She worked in this position for 15 years. Sheila loved working with the pre-school children immensely. One highlight of working in ECEAP was when Senator Patty Murry visited her Pre-School class. During this visit, Sheila was invited to sit on a panel to discuss Early Childhood Education issues with Senator Murry. After a few years, Sheila went back to school and received her master’s in counseling and became a Middle School Counselor in 2015. Though challenging, Sheila enjoyed her job at First Creek Middle School (aka “The Creek”). She had a sincere heart for the children she counseled. Her love for them was unmatched. She genuinely loved them with the love of Christ. One highlight of working at First Creek was her trip to Yale University for a conference. Sheila really enjoyed this experience and spoke of it fondly when she returned home. Her desire was to return to work to continue working with her students and fellow co-workers. Sheila worked for the Tacoma Public School District for 30 years.
Sheila was fun-loving and loved people. She was able to touch many people not only through her job or the church, but through her entrepreneurship of selling Paparazzi Jewerly. She became a consultant in 2018. Sheila enjoyed selling jewelry on her Facebook Lives and anywhere the opportunity was presented. Through this avenue, Sheila was able to minister in areas that may not have been opened to her. God granted her the ability to touch people across the country and passed the boarders through selling jewelry. Selling jewelry for her was more than making money. It was another way to minister to God’s people.
Sheila has been a member of the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ since 1993. She received the Holy Ghost shortly after becoming a member. Since them God truly blessed her to be an asset to the up building of His Kingdom. She received her Deaconess Missionary license in 2006 and her Evangelist license in 2016. She served in several ministries at her local church and abroad. They include Usher Board President, Tuesday Night Prayer Leader, YWCC President, Women’s Department Secretary, Purdy Prison Ministry Team Leader, Trustee Board Member and Prayer and Bible Band Teacher. On the state level, she served on the State Usher Board and the Christian Women’s Council.
Sheila was saved, she was redeemed, she was forgiven, and she was loved. God’s love flowed through her in such a way that people were changed for the better. God gifted her to truly touch people to their very soul. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a counselor, a sister, and a friend. But most of all she was a child of God.
Sheila leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 30 years, Robert Griffis, Son, Jordan Williams, Stepdaughter, Andrea Griffis, Grand-daughters, Leilah Mae Williams, A’Myliyah Griffis, Jazz’Real Mickey, Kei’Lani Kent and D’von Griffis. God-daughters Ruth Larkins, Elisha Roberson and Jasmine Hart and a host of many family and friends.
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