James Kermit Sheffield, 72, of Tifton died Friday, May 22, 2009, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Graveside funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Dr. Wayne Roe will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 23, 2009, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Kermit was born on July 2, 1936 in Crisp County and was the son of S. J. Sheffield and Edna Cox Sheffield, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Eleonor Ann Coker and her children Cynthia Ann Coker and Becky Ann Coker, whom he loved deatly. Kermit served proudly in the United States Marine Corps in the 1950s and then went on to retire from the Georgia Department of Transportation after 33 years. Kermit also served the City of Tifton as the director of Parks and Cemetery for 10 years and received many beautification awards. Kermit was a wonderful father and grandfather who loved his family deeply. He will always be in the hearts of those who loved him.
Kermit is survived by his wife, Patricia Sheffield of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, James K. Sheffield, Jr. and his wife, Beth of Houston, Texas; a sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Tommy Mathis of Tifton; step-children and their spouses, Layne and Ricky Mayne of Tifton, Jody and Lisa Futch of Adel and Jayne and Tim Gray of Tifton; grandchildren, Caleb Sheffield, Samuel Sheffield and Lydia Sheffield, all of Houston, Texas, Chris and Kayla Hewett of Homerville, Brandi and Lee Bruttomesso of Adel, Lauren Futch, Andy Futch and Gabby Futch, all of Adel, and Zack Gray, Holly Gray and Liam Gray, all of Tifton; and great grandchildren, Hayden Hewett and Zane Hewett of Homerville and Basil Bruttomesso of Adel.