Sheila Averett Pickering

 Sheila Pickering, our beautiful mother and grandma, left this life peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025 at the age of 87, surrounded by her family. She was born January 25, 1938 in Springville, Utah to Reed and Gladys Averett. She had a wonderful childhood growing up with her three sisters, Karma, Carolyn and Peggy whom she loved dearly.

While working at her parents’ Dairy Freeze in Springville she met Dennis Pickering who said it was love at first sight for him and she agreed - saying he was so handsome in his convertible! They were married on November 7, 1957 in Springville, where they lived and raised their family together for the next 68 years. In February 1962, they were sealed together in the Manti temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was an amazing wife and caregiver to Dennie until he passed in 2023. They found great joy in being together, cultivating a home that was so loving and welcoming to all that entered.

Sheila was an incredibly hard worker and ran several businesses throughout her life. Her preschool was a favorite in Springville and most of her students still remember the annual field trip to see the scary witch and have frog juice! She was the owner of a successful hair salon and she was so loved by her employees and clients. She treated everyone as if they were family.

Sheila and Dennie raised five children who adore their mother. To say she was the most patient, loving, accepting person is an understatement. She loved each of her children and their spouses so very much and was always there for each of them as a constant, steady force of strength and support. Perhaps her greatest calling was that of a grandmother because if you ask any of her grandchildren they will tell you that she was their best friend. She had a special relationship with each and every one of her grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved connecting with them on social media and they loved when she figured out Instagram! You could come to Grandma Sheila with any problem and know many prayers would soon be coming your way. She delighted in Sunday dinners and Christmas Eve gatherings with her family. They will cherish the years of being with her and grandpa in their beautiful home and yard.

Sheila was a great example of developing and sharing your talents, no matter your age. She was an accomplished musician with a beautiful singing voice. In her later years she spent many hours learning to paint, writing new piano music and creating beautiful pottery with Dennie.

Sheila had the most special gift of making people feel loved and valued. She had a beautiful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wasn’t afraid to share it. Her love for her Savior was at the forefront of all she did, it was impossible not to feel that love radiating from Sheila. The feeling of her home and her presence is what we imagine heaven to feel like. She loved people exactly as they are and saw the best in everyone. She served in many ward and stake callings with her favorite being with the young women.

Sheila is survived by her children and their spouses, Craig (Denise) Pickering; Amy (Bob) Wylie; Jeannie (David) Bate; Peggy (Richard) Case; Maryann (Mark) Wilson; 18 grandchildren (and many spouses); 34 great-grandchildren; her sisters Karma (Michael) Farrer, Carolyn (Kent) Murdock, Peggy Roundy and her sister-in-law Andrea Pickering. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart Dennie, her parents and her in-laws.

A funeral to honor Sheila’s life will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 11:00am at the Spring Creek 3rd Ward church building at 55 North Main St. in Springville. A viewing will take place on Tuesday the 24th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Wheeler Mortuary in Springville and on Wednesday prior to the service from 9:00-10:30am. The services will also be transmitted via live broadcast on YouTube by Wheeler Mortuary. Internment will take place in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the funeral.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.

To view the livestream, click on the following link. https://youtube.com/live/uk9zdoeKlW0?feature=share