Sheila Mae Hams McGaha

Sheila Mae Hams McGaha was born in the rural farming town of Fram, North Dakota on February 28, 1935 to Ernest Arthur Hams and June Melby Hams. She died peacefully surrounded by family, and entered eternal rest on August 31, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas.

Sheila is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ardis and her husband, Elmer (Pitt) Pittman, of San Antonio; brother, Ernie Hams and his wife, Ruby, of Seminole, Florida; and younger brother, Alan Hams and his wife, Marjorie, of St Cloud, Minnesota; as well as son, Leonard Sorsveen; and step-son, Terry Michael McGaha, both from Plainview, Texas.  Finally, and most recently, Sheila lost her loving husband of four decades, Charles Andrew McGaha.

Sheila is survived by daughters, Lee Ann Hall Konkin, of Ada, Minnesota, Cindy McGaha, Lori McGaha, Sheri Moralez and her husband, George, all of Lubbock; son, Steve McGaha and his wife, Karon, of Winnie, Texas; as well as seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  In addition to being a kind and consummate wife, mother, and grandmother, Sheila is also remembered as being the best aunt to eight nieces and nephews, and great aunt to the newest generations spread across this nation.

Sheila loved to travel, not just to visit with family and friends, but also just to see and explore, especially her trips to California, Hawaii, and New Orleans. Sheila grew to love sports, especially the Houston Rockets.  In fact she never missed a game, whether in person, television, and even as a last resort…radio.

A gifted musician, Sheila is remembered for playing piano and violin, and teaching and inspiring everyone (especially the youngest) how to play.  Most of the grandkids’ first instruments were purchased as gifts by Grandma Sheila.  A genuine hostess, Sheila is also remembered for her hospitality and elaborate meals prepared every time anyone would visit.  Her home was welcome to everyone at all times.  The holidays were special for everyone when Sheila was around.  Her cooking and decorations made the seasons brighter.  She loved to sew, and her talent was like everything else she did, WONDERFUL!  Maybe we all have giant homemade Raggedy Anns and Andys with our names on their butts. She mastered the Grandma part of her life, and every child knew they were her special babies because she told them.  Every baby in our family at some point in time reached for Grandma Sheila with confidence and love.  She knew everyone in the neighborhood in Spring, Texas, and they knew her and Chuck as well, especially when she used the walking of “Fella” their dog as entrée.

Sheila worked for many years as a hotel/motel owner and manager, and finally retired with the State of Texas, where she helped thousands through the years with various assistance programs.

Most recently,  Sheila and Chuck moved to Lubbock, Texas to be closer to family who could assist them as needed, and while they both will be missed greatly, missing most of all will be the chronicling of all of our lives (through photos and keepsakes) prepared by Sheila in a myriad of scrapbooks,  as well as,  “THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY LETTER” which updated us and kept us abreast of what was going on.

A gathering of Ms. McGaha’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2023, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Her interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.