Rev. Thomas R. Sheffield went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at his home in Algoma. He was born May 29, 1934, in Mantachie, MS in Itawamba Co to Elzie Houston and Cleo Lesley Sheffield.
Bro. Tom graduated from Mantachie High School, and continued his studies at Itawamba Junior College. He graduated from Ole Miss with a BA in History. He also obtained a Certificate of Attainment with Methodist Church Ministerial Courses of Study at Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Bro. Tom was a devoted Methodist preacher for 52 years until his health failed him. He served the churches of Derma, Big Creek, Algoma, Washington, Palestine, Fairview, Ebenezer, Camp Ground, Becker, New Hope, Grady’s Chapel, Paine Memorial, Saltillo, Hebron, Mantachie, Shiloh, Calvary, Mt. Olivet, Ingomar, and Mt. Zion. He was known for his 15-20 minute sermons. He believed if you couldn’t get a congregation’s attention in that amount of time you didn’t need to be preaching.
Bro. Tom was a well known preacher in Northeast MS who never minded sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with whoever he needed to. He wanted everyone he met to meet him at heaven’s gates someday.
He was honored on April 14, 2015, by the Tupelo District Board of Laity with a plaque for his love of God, service to man, and dedication to the Methodist Church at the Tupelo District Lay Rally. He also dedicated his life to the Chaplain ministry at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union Co, and North MS Medical Center. In 1998, he and his son Chris started Sheffield Quail. They had a love for birds and put on many bird hunts for people all over the US. He was also an avid fisherman was very proud his grandsons and granddaughter shared the love of fishing and hunting like he did. He showed his love of music by singing in the Gospelaires, and Minister’s Quartets.
He will best be remembered as a true and loyal friend that stood by you in whatever you were going through. He touched so many lives, he loved life, and he didn’t mind telling you about how great his grandchildren were. He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and granddaddy.
Services will be at his childhood church, Mantachie Methodist Church on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 11:00 am. Dr. Rev. Jimmy Barnes, Superintendent of the Tupelo Methodist District Charge will be officiating, assisted by Brownie Tohill, and Claude Jones. Graveside Services will be in the Old Monroe Cemetery Hwy 15 S in Pontotoc County at. 2:30 pm on Monday, February 1, 2016. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie is entrusted with the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Martha Ann (Smith) Sheffield, his three children, Shawn Sheffield (William), Shaye Stephens (Craig), and Chris Sheffield (Amanda); his prized possession grandchildren whom he loved so much, Collin (Jordan) Dill, Cole Stephens, Colby Dill, Chad Allon Stephens, Mollie Grace and Eli Sheffield; his sister Ruth Lemon; sister niece Peggy (Lindon) Lollar; and his brother Kelly (Faye) Sheffield, all of Mantachie, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Meeting him at Jesus’s feet are his two sons Tommy Kim and Collin Lesley; his parents; and his four sisters and two brothers.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Collin and Colby Dill, Cole and Chad Allon Stephens, and friends Kyle Dodd, and Collin Minga.
Honorary pallbearers will be his grandson and granddaughter Eli and Mollie Grace Sheffield.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Old Monroe Presbyterian Church or the Old Monroe Cemetery Association both in care of 100 Wallfield Rd Pontotoc, MS 38863.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 4-8 pm at the Mantachie Methodist Church and from 9-until service time Monday.
