Sheila Graham Cooks-Welch, a beautiful 7lb-6oz baby girl, was born to Airman Graham Cooks, Jr. and Alma H. Cooks on August 18, 1954 at Bergstrom AFB, TX. Sheila was the first grandchild born into Alma’s side of the family and needless to say, she was showered with much love. During her early years she embraced the faith of her maternal family and was baptized into the Church of Christ in Big Springs, Texas (1966).
Sheila’s educational journey began in the Austin Independent School District, her Junior High years were spent in Big Springs, TX school system and ultimately she graduated from Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California (1972). To pursue continuity of educational goals, Sheila attended the following institutions:
• San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, CA (on scholarship)
• US Air Force Training Programs – USA / Europe
• Bellevue College Nebraska (AA Degree) Psychology
• University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE (African American Studies)
• Huston Tillotson University, Austin, TX (Psychology)
• Austin Community College, Austin, TX (History Courses)
After attending 2 semesters at San Bernardino Valley College, Sheila decided to explore a different path and enlisted in the US Air Force. Her military training began at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. From there she had assignments at March AFB (Riverside, CA), Bentwaters AFB (Suffolk, England), Sue Saint Marie AFB (Michigan), and later at Offutt AFB (Omaha, NE) as a military spouse.
Following Sheila’s Honorable Military Discharge and short stay (less than 5 years) in Omaha, NE, she returned to Texas where she worked for IRS (United States Treasury Dept.) for a few years before relocating again to Cleveland, Ohio (stayed of ten plus years). While in Cleveland, she worked for a major Credit Card Corporation, in addition to participating in several veteran programs. However, Sheila moved back to Austin in 2006 due to stepfather’s illness and later resumed working for IRS until retirement in 2013.
Sheila loved life, learning, spending time with family (often extending a weekend visit into a two month stay), we never knew the length of her visits because she kept a weekend bag at her mother’s house. She had a passion for reading, writing (excellent skills), and movie watching (sometimes watching the same movies). She will forever be missed!!!
Sheila was preceded in death by stepfather, MSgt (Ret.) Henry Wright, both maternal and paternal grandparents and one sister-in-law.
Sheila is survived by mother (Alma Wright), father (Graham Cooks, Jr.), stepmother (Mattie Cooks), 3 brothers, 1 step-brother, and 3 step-sisters. One son, Allen (Ireland), one daughter, Africa (USA), and one son, Anthony (USA), as well as three grandsons (USA) and five granddaughters (Ireland). Also, serval aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances.
