Sheila Ford

 Service Order: Sheila Ford

People

Austin - Son

Ashlee-Friend helping plan

Pre-Service: Slideshow ***Playlist(Your Choice)

***No special family seating

Song: When I get Where I am going

***Continue to play Slideshow

Welcome (P. Shawn)

Obituary (P. Shawn)

-Dusting Emailing to Shawn

Prayer (P. Shawn)

Slide Show : There You’ll Be & Drowning

Eulogy: (P. Shawn)

Message: (P. Shawn)

Song: I hope you dance

Prayer/Close: (P. Shawn)

This concludes our time together

Dismissal No Pass By

Pre-Service: Slideshow (Person) ***Playlist(Your Choice)

Transition

Family Processional (Person)

Song: I am Free by the Gathers

***Continue to play Slideshow

Transition

Welcome (Shawn)

Good morning and on behalf of the family.... thank you for being here as we Celebrate the life of our dear friend... Sheila Anne Ford

Today...  Sheila is FULLY healed and no longer suffering... in the presence of Jesus.  

  Well... my name is Shawn...  and my wife and I are the Lead Pastors here at The Grace Place where Sheila had attended a few times.

o  On behalf of our Church family... it’s our honor to be here with the family in this moment.

Here is what the Obituary reads….

Obituary/Prayer (Shawn)

Sheila Anne Odom Ford, age 63, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2026, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by love in her final hours.

Sheila was born in Trumann, Arkansas, and throughout her life made her home in several places before settling in Arlington, where she lived for the past 40 years. She spent her career in sales, working in tile stores and building materials, a profession that reflected her strong work ethic, independence, and ability to connect easily with others.

In 1990, Sheila welcomed the greatest joy of her life—her son, Austin. Being his mother was her proudest role, and her devotion to him never wavered. That love grew even deeper with the birth of her grandson, Grayson, who became the center of her world. Known lovingly as “Nana,” Sheila wore that name with pride and found her greatest happiness in being present for every school function, milestone, and moment.

Sheila was a natural caretaker—kind, thoughtful, and deeply caring. She loved cooking big pots of food to share with family, making sure no one ever left her table hungry. She also enjoyed shopping and took special joy in finding a good bargain.

Her faith was quiet and personal, offering comfort in simple ways. Country music was the soundtrack of her life, often playing in the background of everyday moments.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, M. C. and Loretta Lesley Odom, and her sister, Sherri Odom.

She is survived by her son, Austin Fitzgerald, of Arlington; her cherished grandson, Grayson; and her stepson, Donny Fitzgerald, of Arizona.

Sheila Anne Odom Ford will be remembered for her gentle strength, her caring heart, and the deep love she shared with her family—especially her son and grandson, who were her world.

****Let’s Pray…

Walk off to sit during slide Show….

Slideshow (AVL)

Transition

Eulogy (P.Shawn)

But before I share these reflections with you today, it’s important to remember that no one lives a perfect life....

The truth is, we all have moments in our story... we would proudly share and others... we might prefer to leave out. Sheila has hers, and we have ours.

I now today has come quite suddenly for everyone.

Sheila had attended our church a couple times through the years…

I got a call right at the end of the year from Susie, her cousin… Sheila

She told me Austin had taken her ER becuase she had been feeling quite sick & she wants you to come see her.

She had gotten her diagnosis and I went to the hospital to see her.

I asked her if she knew the Lord as her savior… and she said, yes, Ive known him for a long time know. We prayed together and she wanted me to help gather the family so we could talk about her funeral.

That is quite normal for someone who knows whats happening in their body.

Then just a few days later Austin reached out to me letting me know she passed.

So, things have been a bit of a whirl wind - but if I can encourage you today…

The one thing I could see in Sheila when we talked is this… she was at peace and she would want us to be at peace as well. That does not mean that we don’t grieve… But it does mean that we grieve with peace knowing that based on her confession of Faith in Jesus… she is in full peace with Christ.

Now, I did not have the privilege of knowing her in a personal the way many of you did, so I reached out to her son, Austin,

I’m told… Sheila was a

Caring

She was a caretaker at heart… This showed up in the small, behind-the-scenes moments. Sheila had a way of quietly taking care of people without ever needing recognition.

Austin shared that even at 35 years old, his mom would still stop by his house while he was gone, do his laundry, and deep clean his home—just because she could, and because she loved him.

That was Sheila. If you were in her world, you were cared for. And you probably ate well, too.

I’m told… Sheila was

Proud

Especially of two people… Her son, Austin… and her grandson, Grayson.

Austin said his mom talked about the two of them to everyone. She didn’t just love being a mom and a Nana—she identified as one.

Being Nana wasn’t a title to her—it was a calling. She showed up for school events, park trips, and everyday moments that most people don’t think twice about… and never missed if it was up to her.

I’m told… Sheila was

Stronge

In fact… stronger than most realized. She had worked her entire life. Having a job wasn’t just something she did—it was part of who she was. She believed in responsibility, consistency, and doing her part.

That same strength carried her through the most difficult season of her life. Everything happened fast—too fast—but Sheila faced it with quiet courage.

Her faith wasn’t loud, but it was real. When hospice arrived at her home, her car was still playing Christian music—the last thing she had listened to. That’s just where her heart already was.

Sheila Was…

Thoughtful and Intentional.

She loved holidays. She loved birthdays. She loved planning ahead.

She wanted things done right—food prepared, decorations ready, details handled—so everyone else could simply enjoy the moment. Austin joked that now the responsibility for Grayson’s birthday parties and holidays is being passed down to him… and he knows he has some big shoes to fill.

Lastly, I’m told… Sheila Was

Honest and Real.

She was loving and caring—but if something bothered her, you were going to hear about it. She didn’t hide behind politeness and you would be left wondering what she thought or how she felt :)

Friends, Sheila’s life reminds us that some of the greatest legacies are built quietly—

in clean houses,

in warm meals,

in rides to the park,

in caring deeply for others

and in a Nana who never missed a moment.

She will be missed deeply.

But her love—especially the love she poured into Austin and Grayson—will continue on.

And that is something worth honoring today.

I want to share a brief message today… Entitled

Your Story is Not Over

Someone said…

“What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while”

Let me say it again…

“What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while”

This has become a bit of a motto for me… and it sounds to me that Sheila’s knew this too… reminds us that some of the greatest legacies are built quietly—and slowly over time. In the every day moments… not the grand ones….

No matter how the last chapters of your life have been written…

Your story is not over

None of us get to choose every detail of our lives.

Sometimes life happens to us - we don’t get to choose this.

But its also true that sometimes…

We happen to life - and sometimes it looks very graceful and other times its a bit sloppy…

Sheila didn’t choose the speed or the timing of her final chapter—but she chose how she lived the chapters that came before it.

Our theme verse for this brief message comes from Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

This doesn’t mean everything is good—but it does mean God is still working on our behalf for His Good will. Even in pain. Even in loss. Even when the chapter isn’t one we would have written ourselves.

As I think about this scripture there are 2 things that come to mind… first…

Your Final Chapters can Written by God

Believe it or not… God… can turn a all things for anyone who is surrendered to him into something good - something beautiful

While we don’t control every chapter, Scripture tells us we can trust the Author. Sheila’s quiet faith points us to a greater hope she had—that death does not get the final word.

Jesus says in John 11:25…

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

For those who place their trust in Christ, the story doesn’t end here. There is more beyond this life—a future chapter written by a faithful God.

This means today can becomes a turning point.

We are reminded that while we may not choose what has happened,

We do get to choose

how we respond.

How we love.

How we live today and the days to come

We get to choose what kind of Parent, spouse, friend we want to be.

What kind of employee or business owner that we want to be

Most importantly…

We get to choose where we place our hope as we live out the next chapters of our own story.

For sheila she was at peace because her hope was in eternity with Christ, yours can be there too.

I believe if scripture is inviting us to ask this question today?

Will you partner with God in writing the next chapter of your story?

I think we have all lived enough life to know… it takes two to tango…

No one has the luxury to just sit back on their lazy boy and let others do all the heavy lifting….

We are expect to do the best we can with what we have to offer. I don’t belief God doesn’t expect any more than that.

Well… God I can… its too hard… I don’t know how…

God simply would say… we thats ok.. but what can you do… what do you know how to do… start doing that.

No matter how the last chapters of your life have been written…

Your story is not over

Remember out theme verse…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, AND HAVE BEEN WHAT? who have been CALLED according to His purpose…

Yea…. this means he invites us to do stuff according to his purpose… You know what is most precious to God… People stuff..

The 2nd and final thing I want to encouragement you with today is this… and its very practical

Spend more time on what matters…

the people stuff…

what matters…

Family, Friends and faith matters

People don’t say… I wish I Spent more time and work… making money

No, they usually say… I wish I spent more time with the people I love

what matters…

Our Faith maters

This too is people stuff.. becuase it’s JESUS Stuff… what we do with Jesus’s determines our eternity.

As a Pastor, in the end…I have never had anyone ask for the balance on their 401K or personal investments… they usually ask for family, friends, and they either talk about the hope that their faith leads them to and want to know how they can find peace with God. We do this through a relationship with his son… Jesus.

I close with this story today

STORY:  Floor Boards of Heaven

Country House 

This story takes place out at in his grandparents property... they lived out in the beautify country of Montana…   

Beautiful Sky stars and color  

They lived deep in the country 

Far away from the lights of the city  

At night time...  

the sky would light up...  

the stars would dance… and radiate beautiful colors in the sky  

Unleashing a sense of AWE... that only God and his creation can bring to man... the Wonder... the beauty... the vastness... of his creation...  

Slide: Beautiful Parlor Floor  

His grandparents lived in a gorgeous home… a home with a breath taking wood floor that everyone in that time dreamed of having.  

It just so happens there was a small area by the side of their house that lead to the craw space and under-neath the beautiful wood floor...  

Slide: Green Army Men  

The little boy loved to play with his green army men. 

Anyone remember those? 

Well... He was a little old to be playing with them so…  

He would sneak down the small space on the side of the house and go in the crawl under the wood floor and play there… so no one would see him. 

One night at dinner the boy asked his grandpa, “Grandpa, what is heaven like?” 

His grandpa said… do me a favor… go under the house where you play with your army men... (He winked at his grand son) under grandpa’s beautiful wood floor and look up.  

You could see the embarrassment on the boys face when he realized his grandpa knew...his secret was out... his hiding place was no longer a secret.  

The grandpa told the boy, “When your done getting a good look at the underside of the floor come and meet me in the back yard.”  

With a little embarrassed and same... He looked at his Grandpa and shook his head as to say… “ok, I will”.  

Slide: Underside of crawl space  

The boy went under the floor and look up... he was shocked at what he saw and came out to meet his grand paw…   

Grandpa asked the boy… well what did you see…. 

The little boy said, Well it’s kind of dirty down there, yea, “Really dust”, lots of spider webs, and there are some rusty nails poking through the floor I never noticed how ugly the bottom side of your nice wood floor. 

Stars and space   

Grandpa told the boy, “Look up in the sky at the stars” Aren’t they beautiful? The boy nods his head in silent wonder…  

Grandson… that... is the floor boards of heaven... that is heavens underside  

The top side, is waaaay better.  

Transition: Friends...  

That was the reason for Sheil’as Hope ...  and peace in the end.

This hope can be your’s as well… If you place your hope in Jesus… I’m not asking you to do that right now… although you can if you would like… some of you might need to discover what this all means… by attending a good solid bible centers Church.

Scripture says..

For God so loved the world… that WHOEVER

Whoever means whoever… no matter your past or bad of a life you have been… all are welcome

WHOEVER…

believes in Him(Jesus)

Believes what?

Believes what Jesus teaches us about

Sin… We will never be strong enough to over come it we need help… we need a savior.

That is why Jesus came and went to the cross for us… to save us from sin and give us eternal life.

Jesus say’s let me be your King… surrender your old life, your way of doing things… and begin to do things my way…

If you BELIEVE that BELIEVE in JESUS and are ready to surrender…

Then this last part of this scripture can be your hope to…

It says… You

will have ever lasting life.

Prayer… Salvation - Shawn your new hope “ I prayed the prayer”

If you don’t have a church home we would love for to visit us at 9 or 11 am on Sunday’s (Although it is highly likely we will be canceling service due to the weather coming in… please join us the following week.

-If you prayed the prayer of salvation…

It sure would be an honor for you to met either myself or Austin know this…

so he could see the impact of Sheila’s life on your faith Journey.

Transition: Sit….

Song “Hope You Dance”

Transition: Let’s conclude today with a prayer

Prayer/Close (P. Shawn)

Prayer…

On behalf of the family.. .thank you for being with us today…

There will be no formal dismissal… This concludes our time together - you are dismissed.

***Instrumental Hymns can be played