Goolsby Mortuary | Atlanta, GA

Obituary For Sheila Denise Gary

Our family, Dekalb County School System, Saint Phillips Church, and the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority lost a pillar on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 as Reverend Dr. Sheila Denise Gary passed away after battling Stage 4 Liver and Lung Cancer. She lived a very fulfilling life as a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, minister, teacher, counselor, friend and bonus mother to her students. Sheila is survived by her husband William James Gary Sr. of 34 years, their two sons: William James “BJ” Gary Jr. (wife Elenora), and Anthony Rashad Gary. She is also survived by her mother Doris V. Byrd, three sisters: Jaelinne Mason, JoTonya Willis, and Sonya Byrd-Joyner, two brothers: Carlos Byrd and Bobby Byrd Jr., one grandson/nephew D’Angelo “Lil Man” Rhodes, mother in law; Sylvia Gary Harper, brother in law; Wendell R. Gary and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Bobby Frank Byrd Sr. and stepfather Jacob Brick Mason Jr. Her legacy will always live in the hearts of everyone she has interacted with.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 11:00 AM., at Saint Phillips African Methodist Episcopal Church 240 Candler Road. S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30317. Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D., Senior Pastor.

Public Visitation: Friday, August 2, 2019: Time 1:00 PM - 7 PM at Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home &Crematory 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, GA 30034

The Omega Omega service for Dr. Sheila D. Gary will be conducted by the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Details are as follows:

Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Saint Philip AME Church 240 Candler Road, SE Atlanta, GA 30317

Interment Hillandale Memorial Garden 6201 Hillandale Drive Lithonia, Georgia

Guest Book

Our hearts are heavy with sadness and grief. Shelia will truly be missed. She gas left her mark on so many people and her family throughout her life. Please accept our heartfelt condolences in this time of loss. May the passage of time heal your grief. Harriett Byrd and Family

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To the Gary family please accept my condolences. Mrs. Gary was my 1991-1992 7th grade teacher at Clifton Elementary School. Mrs.Gary was a awesome teacher I just had a baby and she never judge me...Thank you Mrs. Gary for all you done. Mrs. Gary just wanted you to know I'm a retired State of Juvenile Justice Sgt. And now work I in the operating room at Atlanta Medical.I wrote two books and a published author. I owe you and Mr Edmondson everything...FLY HIGH MY ANGEL ERICKA R RAY-NGUM

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If Only You Could Have Stayed by Catherine Lamberton Constantly thinking, never to be the same. The tears fall quickly just hearing your name. Silence is golden, yet not anymore. Silence brings thoughts I just can't ignore. The nights are sleepless, dreams out of reach. Crying in my pillow to you I beseech. Surrounded by family, I still feel alone. My heart is so empty. This pain I must own. I wish I could hug you and just see your face. But now I have memories to stand in your place. Gone but not forgotten, that's what they say. Of course that is true... but if only you could have stayed. I LOVE YOU DEAR SISTER! Jaelinne Mason ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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God's abundant peace and strength to the family. We were neighbors in Oaktree Estates and continued our fellowship in our work in DeKalb County Schools....rest on my sister.Tammy Grimes and Family.

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Sending peace and love to JoTonya Willis and family during this difficult time. Hoping you’ll find strength in God and each other and comfort in those beautiful memories shared with Sheila. Philippians 4:7 - Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Leslie Brown AT&T

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Goolsby Mortuary