Thomas Ramsey Sheffield

Thomas Ramsey Sheffield was born on April 26,1930 in Nashville, Tennessee to Thomas Watt Sheffield and Savannah Vinson Sheffield. He departed this life to join the ancestors, family and friends as the sun rose on Monday, January 26, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Thomas was an adventuresome child, who wanted to fish, explore and play boyhood games down near the riverbank. His curious nature often got him into trouble with his father, an older, serious man. His staunch supporter/protector was his older sister, Margaret, who they affectionately called ‘Sister’. They were so close throughout their lives that, at ages seven and eight, Thomas and Sister planned to run away from home together, not knowing where they were going. They just knew they were going together! They were quite a pair of characters.

Thomas attended public schools in Nashville and enjoyed a close-knit circle of friends at Pearl High School. He left Nashville and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 through 1949 and was stationed at Fort Benning, GA. He was a certified Automotive Specialist. After 2 years there, he exited the Army briefly, only to re-enlist in 1950 for a second tour of duty. He was stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ and began a tenure as member of the Military Police (MP). He exited the Army there in 1955. Thomas spent time driving trucks across the country, enjoying his time on the road.

In the late 1950’s Thomas moved to NJ and worked with his brothers, William (Bill) now deceased and Jimmie in the construction trade. He and his first wife Virginia, traveled in their RV from coast-to-coast. Thomas especially enjoyed Canada and visiting the Indigenous people’s sites.

Thomas spent 30-plus years with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, serving as a Captain at Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township, NJ. He was respected by colleagues and inmates alike. He was quick with a smile and sage advice. He encouraged collaboration among his subordinates and other supervisors. He was instrumental in the coordination of the expansion of the corrections facility while it still housed inmates. Former Warden, Ronald Bonforte, spoke of Thomas as a mentor to young men. He excelled at training and was respected for his leadership skills. Thomas mentored young teens through his church, helping them to avoid the incarceration trap to become honorable, responsible, mature adult men.

Upon retirement Thomas and Virginia moved to Connecticut but found the climate too cold. They headed to sunny Wellington, FL in 2002. His first wife of 50 plus years, Virginia Butler Sheffield, passed away in December 2005. He married Luella Patricia Anderson in December 2006. She passed away in March 2025.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Watt Sheffield and Savannah Vinson Sheffield, sisters Hazel Sheffield and Margaret Sheffield Brown, brothers George Hubbard Sheffield and William Clyde Sheffield.

He is survived by a sister, Gladys Sheffield Richardson of LaVergne, TN and brother, Jimmie Andrew Sheffield of Ruffin, NC. There are nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and cousins. Even though Thomas had no biological children, he helped raise stepchildren and step-grandchildren, who lovingly called him Grandpa and Papi. There are friends, former coworkers and church members from Tennessee, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida and points in between. He was wise, kind, loving, forgiving and generous to fault. He was a dapper dresser and loved his newsboy caps. He loved sweets. He was a mentor and a man of faith. Rest in peace, Thomas. Rest in heavenly peace.

Arrangements entrusted to: Quattlebaum Funeral, Crematory and Event Center 5411 Okeechobee Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33417