Gertie May Sheffield

Gertie May Sheffield of Dresden, Tennessee, passed away on March 23, 2024 at the age of 82. The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, March 27 at 11:00 am in Bowlin Funeral Home Chapel with the burial at Sunset Cemetery immediately after. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 26 from 4 – 7 pm and Wednesday, March 27 from 10:00 – 10:45 am.
Gertie was born November 28, 1941 to the late Seldon and Martha (Robertson) Parker of Dukedom, Tennessee. She attended Welsh School in Dukedom, graduated from Dresden High School, and then attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, where she graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Secondary Education.
After Gertie's husband retired from the Army in 1979, the family moved back to Dresden and soon after, Gertie became an Educational Assistant in Special Education at Dresden Middle School where she retired in 2002.
Gertie was a devoted servant of God and enjoyed sharing Him with her family, friends, and community. In 1980, she moved her church membership to First Baptist in Dresden. Gertie was an active member of First Baptist and taught both Childrens and Adults Ladies Sunday School classes. She taught VBS and then served as the VBS Director for more than 30 years and served as the Church Liberian. Gertie also served as the Secretary of the Weakley County Baptist Association for 25 years. She was a member of the Lively Ones, J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth), Sew Faithful, and the First Baptist Kitchen Committee.
Gertie was active in her community as well. She served as a Girl Scout, Brownie Leader in both Dresden and Germany. She was also participated in the Backpack program and was a member of the Dresden Senior Center. Gertie worked at the Election Commission during local and national elections and was chosen as one of Dresden's Golden Iris.
Gertie was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years William "Bill" Sheffield, her parents Seldon and Martha (Robertson) Parker, her sister and brother-in-law Judy and Tom Spence. She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis Sheffield of Dresden and Tracy Shepherd of Alexandria, Virginia, her niece Janet (Mike) Peeler of Dresden, and nephew Dillon Quinton of Martin.