Sheldon Munchus was the second child of the late Merle Murray Munchus and Ethel Goode Peterson Munchus, born Sunday, February 7, 1954, in Philadelphia, PA. He was a round, chubby baby with a smiling face and a sweet spirit. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Peterson, and lived with her until her death in early 1991. Sheldon left this life on Wednesday, January 20, Presidential Inauguration Day, 2021. He was 66 years old.
Sheldon excelled in all that he did, be it sports, education, survival, or humanity. He received his formal education in the Philadelphia Public School System, having attended Morton McMichael Elementary, Sulzberger Jr. High, and Bok Technical High School. After high school, he attended Eastern Jr. College, transferred to, and graduated from The Pennsylvania State University, Capital Campus in Harrisburg, with a B.S. in Political Science, and later Temple University, College of Education & Human Development, with an M.Ed. in Secondary Education. However, he received his most important education from his grandmother, Nana, who taught him honesty, cleanliness, common sense, English grammar, spelling & writing, civic mindedness, activism, and soulful human being-ness, among other critical qualities which served him well in life and career. Sheldon was also educated in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church where he received his religious training. He served in the Sunday School at Tyree A.M.E., and the First District Young People's Department (YPD). At Tyree, Sheldon met and befriended the Adams Brothers, Phillip and Darryl. They grew up together and remained bosom buddies for life.
In the Summer of 1994, Sheldon met and became a couple with Linda Starks. In August 1996, she gave birth to their son, Sheldon Lee Starks. Though Sheldon & Linda did not share the same residence, Sheldon was devoted to Sheldon Lee and was a constant presence in his son’s life. He also established and maintained a close, meaningful relationship with Linda’s eldest son, Devon, who was a young teenager when Sheldon entered their lives. Sheldon saw to it that Sheldon Lee spent each weekend with him in the Peterson Family home, soaking up the history and lessons, and spending time with his Grandmom Mush, Grandaunt Clara, Uncle Wes, cousin, Li’l Wes, who is the same age as Sheldon Lee, and his Aunt Myrna & Uncle Tim when they were in town. All the while, Sheldon’s relationship with Devon deepened. Devon became more and more of a son to Sheldon over the years and he offered tremendous support, helping Sheldon immensely during his recent illness.
Sheldon struggled with health issues all his life, from extreme childhood and adolescent asthma to serious bouts of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in adulthood. One of the strengths in his life was the powerful relationship he shared with his sister, Myrna. She says of him, "Sheldon was an exceedingly kind and generous person, and he has been a survivor through his entire life! He taught me, from an incredibly young age, to love, and how it feels to be adored. He brought meaning to my life, and I will continue to love and to celebrate him, always. He was my hero!" Sheldon also enjoyed a lasting relationship with his younger brother, Wesley. The two shared the family home after the passing of their mother in 2006, and they bonded around fatherhood as they raised their sons together throughout the years.
Sheldon spent his professional career in education with the School District of Philadelphia. He began as a substitute teacher fresh out of college, moved up to long-term sub, and eventually landed a full-time, permanent position. Primarily he taught social sciences, including Social Studies, Black History, US History, and World History. He also taught Reading; but his passion was found in teaching life skills to young male students in several disciplinary schools in the city. One former student wrote: "Mr. Munc was always my main man. He was everybody at the school's favorite teacher because he didn't take no funny stuff!" An award-winning educator and scholar, Sheldon was often sought after to fill administrative positions throughout the District, though he always declined. His preference was “to teach and to impact the lives of young people, rather than being stuck in an office,” he said. After 30 impactful years of full-time teaching, Sheldon retired from the School District of Philadelphia in June 2014.
When Sheldon Lee graduated high school in 2016, Sheldon moved his family from Philadelphia to Orlando, Florida. He lived there until his death. He leaves to mourn his passing: Linda L. Starks, his partner & fiancée; and his son, Sheldon Lee Starks-Munchus, both of Orlando, FL; stepson, Devon A. Starks (Christina), grandson, C’ion Clemmons Pole, and granddaughter, Denim A. Starks, all of Philadelphia, PA; sister, Dr. Myrna Clarice Munchus of Dillsboro, NC; brother-in-law, Timothy L. Bullock of Leverett, MA; brother, Wesley E. Munchus of Philadelphia, PA; two aunts, Mrs. Helene Pearson of Willingboro, NJ, and Mrs. Ruth Baker of Fort Worth, TX; niece, Lillian Tomlinson (Christopher) of Loganville, GA; nephew, Wesley Durant of Philadelphia, PA; grandniece, Olivia Tomlinson of Atlanta, GA; grandnephew, Grant Tomlinson of Athens, GA; special friends, Darryl Adams & Phillip Adams of Philadelphia, PA; and a host of cousins, friends, and former students & colleagues.
"Our family chain may be broken, and nothing seems the same, but God calls us one-by-one, the chain will link again."
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