Milton "Dewitt" Sheffield

He was born on May 13, 1941 in Rose Hill, NC, to Ralph Devon Sheffield and Lee Anna Knowles Sheffield. He grew up in Rose Hill and lived briefly in Plymouth, NC, Jacksonville, NC and Elizabeth City, NC. He moved to New Bern, NC, in 1974, lived in Grantsboro for a few years, and then settled in the Spring Garden area of New Bern for the past 35 years.

Dewitt grew up on the family farm in Rose Hill attending Wallace-Rose Hill High School, where he participated on the football, baseball, and basketball teams. He was also involved with the FBLA and FFA school organizations. After graduating high school in 1959, he attended Forest Ranger school in Lake City, FL. Dewitt was hired as a forester at Weyerhaeuser Company after graduating in 1960. During his 41 years at Weyerhaeuser, he assumed many positions including the District Forester for Weyerhaeuser and the Chairman of the North Carolina Tree Farm Committee. Dewitt joined the North Carolina National Guard in 1962, serving for seven years.

He was a dedicated servant to others as shown through his many volunteer roles. He was a member of the Rose Hill Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Rhems Fire Department, where he was their first fire chief. He also gave his time volunteering for the Rose Hill Jaycees and the Eastern NC Food Bank. He took great pride in the work he did for the NC Baptist Disaster Relief Mission, traveling several times to help others that had been affected by hurricanes and natural disasters throughout the southeastern United States.

Dewitt’s religious faith was very important to him. He attended Rose Hill Baptist Church, First Baptist Jacksonville (NC), First Baptist New Bern, Rock of Zion Freewill Baptist, and Spring Garden Baptist. He was an active member at Spring Garden Baptist for over 35 years where he was a Deacon, sang in the choir, and participated in the Brotherhood group. He was also involved with numerous church committees which included finance, pastoral search, and building and grounds. Dewitt also enjoyed helping with the transportation needs of the church members by driving the church van/bus when needed.

Dewitt loved his family and was so proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He had a quick wit and was a friend to all. Some of his favorite activities over the years were hunting, fishing, boating, RV camping, and going to NASCAR races. He enjoyed spending time at his farm in Rose Hill and was known to have an entrepreneurial spirit, including growing and selling peaches from the farm. He will be greatly missed, but we know that he is rejoicing in heaven enjoying all the fried chicken and fish he wants.

Dewitt is survived by his wife, Sherrie Pate Sheffield; his sons, Milton Sheffield (Sarah) of Indian Trail, NC, and Kevin Swindell (Tammy) of Washington, NC; his daughter, Dena Crout (Kevin) of Summerville, SC; his sister Judy Myrick of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Damian Swindell (Cecelia), Jacob Swindell (Ashley), Ryan Crout, and Mason Crout; his great-grandchild Melody Swindell; and many nephews and cousins.

Dewitt is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Willie Gray Sheffield, his father-in-law Billy Pate, and his mother-in-law Sheen Pate Boykin.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Spring Garden Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, 1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604 or Spring Garden Baptist Church Building Fund, 650 Spring Garden Road, New Bern, NC 28562.