Honoring the Life and Legacy of
David Leon Sheets
Obituary
David Sheets, 65, passed away due to COVID-19 on January 30, 2021 at his home in Denton, Texas. Born in 1955 to Jim and Aletha Sheets, David grew up in a family of musical ministers.
Those who knew him witnessed a life fully and fervently committed to Jesus: a true rarity.
David attended United Wesleyan College 1973-1975, transferred to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana where he graduated in 1979 after paying his late library fees. In 1975, he married his high school sweetheart, Beatrice Thomas. Their joint ministry for the next 45 years would change thousands of lives.
David served on staff at eleven churches across the US Midwest & East Coast, leading each community into a new understanding of authentic worship to Jesus through the gift of music. He selflessly served underprivileged communities through mission trips around the world – including Mexico, Peru, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. He personally led dozens of people to salvation through Christ Jesus. His work as a family pastor improved and revived hundreds of marriages. He persuaded countless believers to obey God’s call to give their own lives to the ministry of the gospel.
David’s life of ministerial work drew applause. But anyone who knew him knows that he considered his countless achievements and accolades as nothing. Nada. “Zilch,” he would say. His only purpose (and joy) was to point others toward life change through the cross of Christ and its power to redeem.
To say humor & joy marked David’s life would be an extreme understatement. He saw every moment of every day as an opportunity to ambush, gag, prank, trick, or fool someone into belly laughing along with him. Everyone who knew David has multiple anecdotes about David bringing levity into any situation.
David is survived by his wife, Bea. His children, Brock and Bethany, their spouses, Esther and Joel (respectively), and his six grandchildren also survive David to honor the heritage he created. Surviving also are David’s parents, Jim and Aletha Sheets, and his siblings Paul (Sally) Sheets and Judy (Ken) Davis.
David’s departure did not douse the legacy he brought to life. His family invites you to join a virtual memorial service featuring a worship choir full of voices of the many diverse lives David touched.
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
Goodness of God - David Sheets Memorial Choir
This song embodies the way David Sheets lived his life. In every situation, no matter the difficulty, he would proclaim God’s goodness.
David Sheets lived a life devoted to Jesus. He spent the majority of his career as a music minister & choir director in churches around the US. The Sheets family put out a call for anyone who had served with David to join a virtual choir in his honor. What you see here is just a small picture of his legacy impact on the Kingdom of God. We pray this song blesses you and encourages you today.
Slide show
Photo Gallery
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Emanuel House
Emanuel House is a school & after-school program located in Quisqueya, Dominican Republic. Founder, Mirqueya Guzman started the school with her own money to target the neediest children in her community. Now the school weekly ministers to over 150 children. Many of these children are not allowed to attend public school due to missing birth certificates. With help from others, she is able to offer a hot meal, educational instruction, and love.
David loved and celebrated the heart that Mirqueya had for her neighbors. Partnering with the McLean Bible Church music ministry, David led several evangelistic teams and joined with Emanuel House sharing music, food resources, material goods, and the love of Christ to the community. David would be honored to know Emanuel House is thriving because of your generosity.
Too many memories to be able to share them all in a “comment.” I’ll just say that David was a major influence on my Christian musical growth. I’m honored that he shared his time and talents with me, though it now seems too brief. Praise God, time won’t really matter for us with Him.
David was a special man of God. I am honored to have met him and experienced his gifts when we served together on a Tres Dias weekend.
See you in heaven friend.??
Dave was such a beautiful soul, who lived for Jesus and his family. I am so glad I had the blessed privilege to know him and serve with him in the choir.
I agree with Julie Crandall. I once told Dave that I thought he could conduct the choir with only facial expressions. When Dave and I were together at McLean, I used to DRIVE from Pittsburgh (that’s right..Pittsburgh) to Vienna, Virginia on Thursdays for rehearsal and then turn around and drive home. I’d do that all over again on Saturday for the weekend. Dave was a HUGE part of why I did that. And then we’d praise Almighty God together. Those eyebrows would go up and I knew it was time to get down to business. I remember when I auditioned for the position of “first Irish whistle” at McLean. I played for Ben Roundtree and Dave. And when we met, all of that nervousness and doubt flew out the window. Dave was special to me in his own way. I shall dearly miss my very good friend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPRRmWUrTAY
If he had any facial expression that did not convey the joy and love of Jesus, I never saw it! So grateful for his Godly influence in my life through his music ministry. Love and prayers to the entire family.
David was a precious man of God who led worship at Christian Fellowship Church in Ashburn, VA a few years back. We were blessed to serve along side of him in ministry. Heaven gained a beautiful soul but he will be missed by his family and those who were fortunate enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bea and the family!
David’s spirit was just what we needed when he came to my church. He brought joy back into our choir. His joy was contagious. I looked forward every week to see him get a kick out of the little things. I will always remember the times that we lead worship service together. I’m still in shock that I actually found a hymn that was new to him.
He was also there for me to as a sounding board during the summer of 2020 as I struggled as a black Christian in a majority white church. He was there for me to talk things out. We had multiple conversations and we challenged each other through it all. You don’t come across many people like David in your life but when you do they leave a huge mark.
My uncle David Sheets is so many things to so many people. His sudden passing yesterday evening has left many of us in a very real state of shock. I am thankful for the Hope my uncle sang of, spoke of, and lived out in his everyday life.
As his family and friends grieve his unexpected passing, it will be with tears of sorrow AND tears of joy knowing he is experiencing his reward as a faithful steward of the King’s resources! Uncle David’s ministry of presence will be missed but never forgotten.
Thank you, Uncle David, for pointing me and so many others towards the true Hope available through Jesus Christ!
As I look back on my life, there are several individuals who have made a huge impact and shaped me into who I am today. David Sheets and his wife Bea entered my life when I was a teenager. David came to Calvary Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem as the Minister of Youth and Music. The memories of those years have never left but they have been flooding my mind. So much laughter, so much fun, so much singing, lots of sports. My relationship with God grew under his ministry and just watching Dave and Bea live their life. Those years were so fun! Living just a few houses from Calvary allowed even more adventures. So much time spent singing in youth choirs and adult choirs. David brought a small number of us together to form Living Hope, a singing group that had us singing all over Pennsylvania and beyond and continued after Dave and Bea moved on to their next ministry. Youth group was a blast under Dave’s leadership and we had so many adventures-DUs (Destinations Unknown, Ski trips, Action Park, NJ come to mind). I enjoyed playing on the softball team with Dave. He played a mean 3rd base and, although extremely competitive, always enjoyed himself. I also enjoyed babysitting their children, Brock and Bethany, from time to time including tagging along on an Ocean City, NJ vacation one time. Dave was one of the first people at our house the night we got back from the hospital after my Mom died suddenly. His comfort and hugs were so welcomed in the shock of the moment. He even called the year after to check in on us from his new home. I have read tributes from many people who were blessed to have him in their lives and they all read the same. I am saddened that Dave’s presence on earth has come to an end. I am looking forward to the day we are reunited in Heaven.
David encouraged me when I joined the choir at McLean Bible Church even though I had no deep musical background. From what I have read recently that was typical of him. One day, David, I know I will sing with you again. And then, I’ll be able to do harmony. ♥✝??
David Sheets was an incredible man of God. His demeanor was always one of kindness and understanding. He was a gentle soul. He was a great listener. He exuded grace and mercy to all. He was loved and appreciated by so many. He modeled Philippians 1:21.
When our family moved to Virginia in 2009, we were far from family and everything familiar. Everything was intimidating and new. McLean Bible Church had an incredible choir and early on I was asked to be their accompanist. I would NEVER have accepted that job if it hadn’t been for David. I knew he was the director and we had known and loved him 15 years before when we were students at IWU. The first night I walked into that room (scared out of my wits), he was just this incredibly warm, welcoming, comforting presence. Those people, and David, became my choir family for 6 wonderful years. He was just SO genuine. I remember one year having to play the Hallelujah chorus and just FREAKING out. He came over and sat on the piano bench next to me and said “You don’t have to play ALL the notes..” Hahaha! It was hysterical – but at the same time he was just patiently teaching me. (And honestly – he was just a genius. His understanding of music went so far over my head!) I could go on and on – but all of my memories are similar to these – he will be greatly missed by me and I’m grieving with you all.
Being born when my brothers were nearly 16 and 14 created a natural “2 family” feel to being siblings. The boys grew up together. They shared their childhood. I grew up listening to the stories of the antics, relationships, etc. They were larger than life to me.
Our father, Jim, is an excellent story teller. He recounted tales of the adventures of Paul and David all across this country. Here is one of my favorites.
Dad and Mom had to go out of town for a revival meeting or similar event that spanned a few days. The boys were left home in the parsonage at Christ Wesleyan Church, Greensboro, to fend for themselves. They were older teens by this time. With permission the boys had some friends over. Apparently there was some rough housing that can happen when teen guys are together and a ceramic orange swan (seen in the picture on the top shelf) was smashed into pieces.
Dad and Mom returned home and found everything in place and no indication of any trouble. Some time later, Mom was dusting an her rag caught on a part of the orange swan. Puzzled, she examined the swan closely and was shocked to discover the many tiny cracks all through the sculpture.
The truth was revealed. Paul, David, and if I recall another friend, painstakingly glued every broken piece of that swan back together in an attempt to cover up the incident. They would have succeeded had Mom not been so careful in her house cleaning!
That swan lived with us for years! I remember looking it over and seeing the puzzle pieces of it held together with glue. When I asked my parents about its whereabouts now, they sadly told me they aren’t sure what happened to it when they sold their house and belongings and moved to High Point a few years ago.
Love and Holy Spirit hugs to all of you who love David Sheets. Such a blessing to KNOW without a DOUBT where a loved one will spend eternity!
My memory of David Sheets …
Our family remembers the freezing, cold, icy night when our green van broke down in Baltimore….not in a safe area at all…maybe in 2008? At any rate, we were doing a big loop visiting family for 2 weeks, which we could only afford barely by skipping Christmas gifts that year (the kids chose to see family instead). We called 911 because we did not know what else to do and it was soooo cold. When we told the operator where we were, police were sent immediately….evidently a very bad place….and 3 or 4 cop cars came to get us and took us all to a shelter several miles away while more cops helped Sam unload and guarded our van until the tow truck could get there. They stopped by the fire station on the way to get something…we had no idea what they got or where we were going. When we finally arrived at a shelter, the police gave our kids huge garbage bags to open…..full of leftover toys from their Christmas drive (this was just after Christmas). I cried….they had no idea our kids had gotten virtually nothing for Christmas.
Mom and Dad knew David Sheets and Bea were within an hour of us and somehow got his number. We called, not sure how he could help, but asking if he had any idea what to do. Hours later, David brought a passenger van from the church and that’s a good thing!!! We needed the space for toys lol. David took us to the airport to rent a vehicle, AAA towed the van to a repair shop, there were so many miracles that week….down to finding $1200 in my purse which just perfectly paid for fixing the van!
Long story to say….he was a servant. He dropped everything and probably lost sleep (I don’t remember what time it was…dark for sure!) to help us get to Grantsville to see family for New Year’s. Thank You, Jesus, for David Sheets, and give him an extra “welcome home” gift from your Macinta family here on earth! <3
David Sheets friend, brother-in-law, mentor, leader, Christ-follower, all terms I think about when I think of David. Several memorable moments with David.
1. He was there when I accepted Christ into my life!
2. He took me for my driving test!
3. David, led me and 2 other guys around my table as a youth learning about what it means to follow Christ!
4. He was there when I met my in laws for the first time.
5. David, led the only choirs I sang in (he is the most forgiving)
6. David, was there when I married his sister (Judy Davis)
7. He was there when all my children got married!
8. He was there when our eldest ( Ken Davis Jr. ) was diagnosed with cancer.
Thank you David for always being there!
Family reunions with the Story/Sheets relations have always included music. We have had sing-alongs, talent shows, skits and worship services. These have been held in living rooms, outside, in church sanctuaries, funeral homes, fellowship halls, community rooms, and an old historical former slave chapel. We have been known to break into song while waiting in lines, waiting for museum presentations to begins, basically anywhere the song hits someone!
We will continue to have music when we gather. It’s in our hearts. It’s in our souls. Other family voices have moved to Heaven’s choir and our music here has gone on. Just makes our longing to join that choir all the more strong.
Singing through tears…
Some years ago Paul, David, and I along with our spouses, planned a surprise anniversary celebration for our parents, JimAletha Sheets. The night before the party David and I ran around Greensboro to finish the final touches. He drove and was a calming factor my panicked self to have all things go perfectly.
At one point he noticed that a very specific place of business had “the light on.” We knew exactly what this meant. Neither of us lived in a place where Krispy Kreme existed so it was ABSOLUTELY necessary for us to stop. We ordered one dozen, hot off the line, glazed, melt in your mouth donuts.
12 ÷ 2 =….you do the math.
I’m thankful for the life my Uncle David lived.
I’m thankful for the many conversations we had about ministry, marriage, and just life in general.
I’m thankful for the many times we bonded over monopoly other fun games.
I’m thankful for his incredible wife, my Aunt Bea (Luzy).
I’m thankful for my cousins & their families, Brock & Esther & Bethany & Joel. I can’t begin to imagine their heartbreak.
But most of all, I’m thankful for the fact that my Uncle David loved Jesus more than anyone. I’m thankful that his ministry spanned so many years and gave me (as a music pastor myself) a grand view of what life is like walking with Jesus.
Uncle David, I’m thankful for you & your steadfast devotion to the King of Kings. Thank you for living life as a true witness to the goodness, the joy & the grace a life with Christ brings.
His support of my ministry…
His (and his family’s) encouragement through my cancer journey…
My Mom told me the other day a story I didn’t know.
When she informed my uncle that I was diagnosed with a stage four cancer, he dropped everything and drove from Northern VA to Roanoke. Halfway there, he received a call from my Aunt Bea. She said, “Where are you?” He said, “On my way to Roanoke.” It wasn’t even a question in his mind where he needed to be in that moment.
David Sheets was way more than any of us ever deserved and I’m eternally grateful for his support, love & life.
I was always fascinated by the relationship between my dad and his younger brother, David. There was something so unique and completely fun that happened when they were in the same room.
Together with my Aunt Bea, my whole life has been filled by them showing up. Whenever my family was in crisis, they showed up. Their kids, my cousins, embody this holy trait too.
Ten years ago, when I moved to the JUSTembrace house I called my dad crying, asking if he could make the trip from PA to help me move in. He showed up with my brother and my uncle. Uncle David chose to show up for me, and for us, without being asked.
When mom was diagnosed with cancer, he wanted to come immediately to play frisbee and process with my dad but couldn’t because of Covid, so he sent a load of dog toys for my dad to use with my dog Scout.
When I unexpectedly lost a job that included housing and food in DC one summer 12 years ago, he and my aunt took me in and let me live with them for weeks. I spent several days helping him paint a house he was flipping, and studied him for clues to better understand where I come from. That was such a gift.
Uncle David is one of the few men I’ve always trusted, and who frequently told me he loved me with sincerity.
One of my favorite things was hearing my parents and my uncle and aunt sing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” – a song they sang together in college -and really anything.
He loved Scout and called me to find out how he could get a dog just like her. He read the books I recommended and was finally getting his retirement dog later this Winter.
There’s absolutely no one in my life like my Uncle David. I do not want to imagine the future without him.
It’s unfathomable that there are literally millions of families across the world immersed in this terrible pain.
I know there’s hope and comfort etc. But this is my lament.
Oh how we will miss Uncle David!
David Sheets was a Choir student of mine my first year as a Professor at United Wesleyan College.
He was so talented, loved life and people, and always had such an amazing sense of humor.
He will be greatly missed by so many of us. Heaven is richer because of His life being all about living for the Lord.
Sending prayers to Bea and the the family.
Love and prayers,
Bev Collins