Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Mr. Richard Alvin Sheets, 81 of Yadkinville, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a battle with esophageal cancer.

He was born April 28, 1941 in Forsyth County to Garland “Pete” Spencer Sheets Sr. and Effie Wooten Sheets.  He fully embraced the Gospels later in life and was a member of Green Meadows Baptist Church. He was a hobby farmer and raised a large garden every year. He also made and baled hay for horses and cows for his mother for decades, and he loved tinkering with all of his nine tractors.  He spent his life working at Forsyth Hospital as a supervising engineer of maintenance, from 1967-2005. Most of all, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by: his two twin sons, Stacey Sheets and Tracey Sheets; a grandson, Gavin Sheets; and a brother, Garland Sheets Jr.

He is survived by: his wife of 55 years, Patsy Ellis Sheets; a daughter, Susan Gardener; 2 daughters-in-law, Mailea Sheets and Loretta Sheets; 7 grandchildren, Amber Shoaf (Vic), Amanda Shoaf, Nathan Sheets (Miranda), Travis Sheets (Misty), Sawyer Sheets, Victoria Sheets, and Atticus Sheets; 2 great-grandsons, Waylon Sheets and Kyler Sheets; 2 siblings, Gary Sheets and Cindy Holder; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at Green Meadows Baptist Church by Pastor Josh Greene. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by US Army National Guard Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Sunday, Feb. 26, from 6-8 p.m. at Gentry Funeral Service in Yadkinville.

Memorials can be made to: Green Meadows Baptist Church; or the Esophageal Cancer Action Network.

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Sheets family.