A homegoing celebration for Sister Essie Mae Sheffield of Tampa, FL who passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016 will be held Saturday, August 6th, 11:00 a.m. at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 E. Chipco Street, Reverend Dr. Bartholomew Banks, pastor, officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Sister Essie Mae Sheffield was born January 25, 1927 to the late Deacon Ira and Mrs. Verna Sheffield in Tampa, Florida. She attended Hillsborough County Public Schools and graduated from Middleton High School. She attended Florida Memorial College, but ultimately found her passion in the health profession. She became a licensed practical nurse and after over 25 years of caring for the sick; retired from Centre Asturiano Hospital. Sister Sheffield accepted Christ at an early age at Greater Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. E. K. McDuffie. Later, she joined St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. She was a faithful church member and especially enjoyed the Keenager Ministry. When church attendance became difficult, Sister Sheffield enjoyed Dr. Banks' sermons on CD's. She was an avid football fan and perhaps one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers biggest supporters. Sister Sheffield was preceded in death by her parents, Deacon and Mrs. Verna Sheffield, her sister, Bernice Sheffield and niece Sarasota County Commissioner Delores G. Dry. Early Monday morning August 1, 2016 God sent his angel for Essie Mae Sheffield and she flew away to be with her Lord. She will live in the heart of her loving and devoted daughter, Joann Myers-Douglas (David), Thonotosassa, FL; sister, Easter Mae Byrom, Cordele, GA; grandson, Kenneth C. Myers; granddaughter, Yvette L. Boatwright; great granddaughter, Taylor-Kristen Myers Salztgaver (Erik), Tampa, FL; great grandsons, Nicholas K. Myers, Tampa, FL and Cregory E. Boatwright II; great great grandsons, Erik Cheville, Jakson Tiberius and Korbin Magnus Saltzgaver, all of Tampa, FL; nieces, Lillie, Nellie, Ruth, Liz and Joann all of Cordele, GA; Virginia and Gail of Atlanta, GA; nephews, James, Eddie and Ceasar, Jr., Cordele, GA. and Bernard of Albany, GA; and a plethora of great nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by special friends, Sister Jacqueline Preston, Brandon, FL; and sister Pamela McDuffie, Apollo Beach; FL. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, August 5th from 5-8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.


Visitation
Aikens Funeral Home
Friday, August 5, 2016
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
St. John Progressive M.B. Church
Saturday, August 6, 2016
11:00 AM
2504 E. Chipco St
Tampa, FL 33605