Lillian Russell Pitts Sheffield

Graveside service: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations may be made to Angelic Place, 2300 Park Run, Arlington, Texas 76016.

A native Texan born Sept. 11, 1918, she was the first of two daughters for Russell (a farmer) and Beatrice (a shopkeeper) Pitts. Mrs. Sheffield was a graduate of Krum High School and North Texas State University, where she earned a degree in education and married William P. "Bill" Sheffield, the captain of the football team. The pair became dedicated educators in the Texas public school system, teaching children in such places as the Waco State Home, Panhandle, Arlington, Lufkin and Victoria, before retiring in 1983. Bill Sheffield died in 1994. She had a keen mind, a great smile and loved watching people move through life. She enjoyed cooking, watermelon, music, politics, football, girls' basketball and strangely enough, all things Elvis.

A deep and heartfelt appreciation is extended to those at Angelic Place, her home these last few years; Brenda Myers, Oretencia Sifuentez, LaToya Stevenson, Queen Lundy, Corina Martinez, Buffy and Niles all made life better. And a special thank-you to Tonja Morale, her friend and caregiver, and the teams at Care Mountain and Vitas Hospice.

Survivors: Children, Dick Sheffield of San Angelo and New York City, N.Y., and Anne Mathenia of Arlington; son-in-law, Frank Mathenia; and daughter-in-law, Anita Sheffield (and her daughter Barbara Hooks). The brightest lights of her life were her three grandchildren, Graham Mathenia, Katie Mathenia and Eli Mathenia, all of Arlington. She loved kids and her grandkids even more.