Sheila Marie O'Connor Obituary (1948

Sheila Marie Smith O'Connor, age 75, was called home to be with her Heavenly Father on September 4, 2023, surrounded by her two daughters. Born in Kearney, Nebraska, she was the eldest daughter of Arthur Leroy Smith Jr. and Opal Juanita Bentley Smith. She graduated from Edwards Air Force Base, in Edwards, California. She retired from University Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX where she worked as an Executive Assistant. She was and is a member of Acts Christian Church in Texas City, TX. She was a devout Christian, a lover of her savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. She was an avid reader and student of the Word of God; always learning and always sharing what she learned. She enjoyed serving in numerous ministries for many years, including feeding and sharing the word of God with the homeless. She developed a love of diamond art in her later years, was an avid Astros fan who did not miss a game and enjoyed traveling trips with her special group of closest friends (Linda, Edna, Julie, Theresa, Patty, Bonnie, Janice, and Rebecca) and family. She will be remembered for her quick wit and sassy personality. She was full of life and feistiness with a huge heart full of love for people. This continued until she was called home as was witnessed by the numerous caregivers who came to visit her, love her, and be with her until the end due to the profound impact she made on all of them during her medical stays. When she told you that she loved you, you knew she meant it. There is no one she was not willing to help and go an extra mile for; many of which stayed with her through the years as she helped them get back on their feet. Her love language was acts of service and she enjoyed doing the little things from helping her kids clean the house to packing up and moving across states, just to have a reason to be around them. She never missed any holiday or reason to send out a card for her grandchildren and great grandchildren just as a reminder of her love for them. There was never a doubt in any of their minds that 'Nana' loved them. She embodied what it meant to be a Nana and taught both of her daughters how special it was to be a truly actively involved grandparent. She is survived by her two daughters, Michelle Leigh King, and Jaime Danielle Jordan, and husband Derek; Grandchildren: Dillon Austin, Victoria Jordan, Madison Gallion and her fiance' Tucker Futch, Connor Jordan, and Camden Jordan; Great grandchildren Violet Lopez, Joseph Persky, Camila Austin, Jensen Persky, Elleigh Futch, and Benjamin Austin, and her cat, Jayda. She is also survived by her nephew Michael Cornett Jr. and wife Doreen, along with many great nieces and nephews, as well as an abundance of close friends that she always considered family. She believed wholeheartedly that family was not defined by blood. She was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Opal Smith, stepson Brent O'Connor, her sister, Sharon Cornett and husband Michael Cornett Sr., and nephew Kevin Cornett. Sheila was the most dedicated Mom and Nana, and she was a shining example of what it meant to serve her family and give generously to anyone in need. We love you and will dearly miss you. The memorial service will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 5:00pm at Carnes Funeral Home, 3100 Gulf Fwy, Texas City, TX. As Sheila's favorite color was purple, please consider joining the family in wearing something from that color palate if you are attending the service.