Sheila Elaine Avery was born on March 24, 1957, in New Bern, North Carolina, to Myrtle and Garrett Avery. She was raised in Stonewall, North Carolina, where she accepted Christ at an early age and became a devoted member of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.

Family was at the heart of Sheila’s life, and she cherished the close bonds she shared with loved ones and friends. Among those closest to her were the classmates of the Pamlico County High School Class of 1975. Their friendship endured long beyond graduation, strengthened through social media, group chats, and ongoing support for one another throughout the years.

After graduating high school, Sheila went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University. She was a proud and dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., having been initiated into the Delta Alpha Chapter in Fayetteville, North Carolina. During her most recent visit to the Theta Omega Omega Chapter, she joyfully shared that she was ready to roll up her sleeves and get active again in the work of her beloved sorority.

Following graduation, Sheila moved to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where she lived with her sister, Annie Marie Satterfield, and family. She began her professional career as an Office Engineer with Bechtel and later continued her work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, where she dedicated more than 40 years of exemplary service. Sheila was admired for her diligence, precision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Outside of her professional life, Sheila found joy in photography, sports, movies, and music. Her deep faith guided her daily life, and she was a faithful and active member of First Baptist Church of Ken-Gar. Sheila served as a Deaconess and devoted her time to numerous ministries, including, but not limited to, the First Baptist Church Choir, Usher Board, Sunday School, Youth Committee, Food Pantry, Personnel Committee, and holiday service coordination She was also known as the church photographer, capturing memorable moments at countless events. When asked to step in front of the camera, she would lovingly reply, “By taking the picture, I am in the picture.”

Sheila’s memory will be cherished by her mother, Myrtle Jenkins Avery of Stonewall, NC; her brothers, Garrett Avery Jr. (Mannie) of Del City, OK, and Carlton Avery and Levell Avery of the home; her sisters, Jacqueline Smith of Biscoe, NC; Annie Satterfield (Quintin) of Landover Hills, MD; and Brenda Bell of Vanceboro, NC; her uncle, Artis Jenkins of Stonewall, NC; her close friends Katherine Davis, Margo Thombs, and Venetta Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Sheila was preceded in death by her father, Garrett Avery Sr., and two brothers, Glenwood Avery and Jimmy Avery.

On November 18, 2025, Sheila Elaine Avery was called from labor to reward, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love that will forever live in the hearts of those who knew her.