Angels walk among us for protection, encouragement , comfort and love. When their time here is done, they receive their wings and watch us from the heavens above.

Our angel was placed on this earth January 10, 1942 and God gave her wings to fly on December 17, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer that ended at MD Anderson Hospital where she was surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Sheila was born to William and Myrtle Schaefer in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her father, William worked tirelessly as a single parent,to provide a good life for her and her four siblings in a modest duplex on North St., which they shared with the Kie family, who were no less than family to them. She spent summer days playing stick ball on North Street and winters at Clapp park skating and tobogganing. Every week they waited for their trip to the Busy Bee café with their father, where they were able to sit with dad and enjoy the night out. It was something she spoke of often. It was her fondest childhood memory.

At the age of 16 she left Pittsfield and moved to North Carolina to be with her older brother George, who was now in the Air Force and never stopped being her idol. This move led to a young love with Eli E Gann III whom she married and after the birth of their son David Eli Gann, moved to Oyster Creek Tx and 2 years later had their daughter Sheila Jolene Gann.

Young love can be short and Sheila found herself raising two young children alone while working at the Dow Hotel. Carrying pillow cases full of laundry to the Laundromat while her two young children hung on to the cases,life was simple and loving, but sometimes a surprise happens that makes life better. That surprise was a man named Ronald Joseph Theriot, the love of her life. He came into their lives, loved Sheila unconditionally and made her children his own. When it seemed that things could not get better, God blessed them with two more sons; Ronald Joseph Theriot, Jr. and Mitchell Jay Theriot. The family was complete and they made their home with a love that would last more than 50 years.

Sheila, better known as (mom) to all of the neighborhood children, was never without a car or house full of kids. She packed the car and would head off to blue lake or the beach with the Burridge, Thompson and McCleary kids in tow. As the younger boys grew, Dominique Estrello, Josh Rios and Brice Pate, along with many others knew they were safe and loved by mom. Her house was open to all who wanted to be there. It was the house of "Help Yourself". If it was there, it was yours. Just make sure you get it yourself.

With children grown, Sheila went back to her restaurant roots and opened My Place Deli in Freeport. For several years she worked tirelessly to provide a clean, comfortable environment with exceptional food and service. She loved every customer and spent countless hours at the deli cleaning and cooking to make sure that every person left happy and full. Her chicken and dumplings could not be made fast enough to keep up with the orders. Oh how she could make chicken and dumplings. And to watch her move was a sight. She was the fastest, smallest, most strong willed woman you could ever expect to meet. Simply put: Amazing

As the years went by, her desire to focus on her growing family brought about her decision to sell the deli. At that time, she was able to travel with Ronald to their favorite spots…The Casinos. They would spend wonderful weekends at Isle of Capri together where she would pull the one arm bandits and play her favorite Lucky Luigi. Getaways to Elko and Windover, NV. for a little gambling with Moby and Evelyn Burridge and Gilbert and Ladell Wittneben held a special place in her heart.

She was so proud of her sons and their BBQ cooking as Outta Control Cookers and was the official rib and chicken taster. In her eyes, no one could cook better than her boys and she proudly pointed to awards that to her was all that needed to be said. As the years went on and her health declined she was not always able to be there for the entire event, but she never missed the awards and the chance to tell everyone that those were her sons. She loved David, Ronnie and Mitchell beyond words.

No mother has ever been more proud of a child than Sheila when her son Mitchell graduated from the University of Houston in 2001. Mitchell was her only child to graduate college and he was the first person from her entire side of the family to achieve a college degree and that meant the world to her. Her baby was going places.

She looked forward every year to her trip with her daughter Jolene. They travelled to New England for the fall foliage and to visit her hometown, even making their way into Canada. She couldn't wait to get to some clam chowder and oyster stew. Twice they made their way from San Francisco to Seattle on Highway 101, stopping in on Napa, the Redwood forest and the entire Oregon coast that they loved so much. Although Sheila was not a fan of snow, they made the occasional trip to Lake Tahoe where they enjoyed wonderful times on the lake and the mountain resorts. These special times together were the driving force of their closeness.

It is said that the bond between mother and daughter in law is a strained one, but that was not the case with Sheila and her daughters in law, Julie and Theresa. If she had been blessed with more daughters, these two would have been her choice. She lit up when they walked in the room and was so grateful for the love these two women showed her sons. Her admiration, appreciation and love for them is endless.

Above all, Sheila loved her grandchildren to whom she was simply (memaw).You've seen it before. That look of sheer pride when someone is talking to you. That is what you saw when memaw spoke of her grandchildren. Motorcycle rides, volleyball games, softball games, school functions, grandparents day. It did not matter. She was going to be there. She loved her grandchildren unconditionally and they were the light in her eyes.

Aside from family, she loved her friends at the Freeport VFW Post 4341. She and Ronald spent years building relationships and bonds with everyone there. She felt at home there and always felt welcome. She held a special place in her heart for her dear friend Susan Singletary whom she grew to love like her own. She will miss Susan.

Sheila was preceded in death by her father; William, mother ; Myrtle, brother ;William, sister;Connie.

She is survived by her husband Ronald Joseph Theriot Sr., sons David Eli Gann, Ronald Joseph Theriot Jr.(Julie); Mitchell Jay Theriot(Theresa), daughter Sheila Jolene Wittneben (Martin Sanders "Sheila's sweetie") grandchildren: Hunter Gann, Brody Gann, Chase Theriot, Caris Theriot, Megan Blanchard, Joshua Lenamond ; brother, George Schaefer(Donna), sister Sandra Valenti, numerous nieces, and everyone who has ever been touched by her love and infectious smile.

Mama was one of a kind. She fought for her family, loved beyond measure and made everyone feel like they were a part of her family. We will miss our mama.

Pallbearers will be: Grandsons, Hunter Gann and Chase Theriot ; Family friends, Scott Martin, Dominique Estrello, Daniel Matt and Bryce Pate

Visitation will be Sunday December 21, 2014 from 3-6p at Lakewood Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be Monday December 22, 2014 at 2:00p at Lakewood Funeral Chapel

Graveside services will follow immediately.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the MD Anderson Cancer Hospital.

Arrangements by the Turner family. On line condolences may be made to lakewoodfuneralchapel.com

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