Sheila M. Brown

Sheila Maxine Brown (Black), age 83, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2022.

Sheila was born on January 1, 1939, in Brown's Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Shirley Isla (Raw) and Kyril S. Brown, Sr. She lived on the Island of Guam during her teen years. In 1955, she met and married Bill Black Sr. of Okemos, MI who was serving in the Navy at the time. They returned to Michigan, settling in Woodbury and raised 5 kids and countless more nieces and nephews, friends, and an occasional sibling or 2 in the house on the corner. They were married for 40 years.

Sheila attended George Washington High School in Agana, Guam. She later studied Cosmetology and graduated in 1966 from the Melba Cosmetology Academy, Lansing MI. She received her license and operated Sheila Black's Salon out of her home in Woodbury until 1989. She also helped at Swift's Floral Shop for several years before moving to Pine Island, FL, where she worked in a local beauty salon and hosted at local restaurants.

In January of 1999, she married Richard Whidden, and they were together up to the time of her passing.

Sheila was a member of the Woodland Methodist Church and later the First Congregational Church, Lake Odessa, MI. She enjoyed participating in and leading many church and community events. She oversaw the Annual Mother's Tea for high school senior girls; served on the Lake Odessa Fair Board for years, worked in the fair office and was the first to run the fair food booth for profit. She served as a Lioness member of the Grand Ledge Lions Club for many years.

As her children grew, she was active in a variety of school activities, from supporting the Lakewood Varsity Football team and wrestling for each of the boys to being a Cheerleading Mom for the girls. It seemed that on any given Friday night during the season you could always find a bunch of players and parents at an event she was hosting in her home.

She loved card games, old movies and was a voracious reader of detective/crime thriller novels. She was outgoing, loved to host and attend parties and was the first one on the dance floor. She loved to get dressed up and have a good time and made sure everyone else did as well.

She always had a "we'll figure it out" attitude. She was talented and wasn't afraid to try new things or add her own artistic flair to things…. dying carpet, wallpapering everything, tropical sunset wall mural, glitter in client's hair for Christmas, and so many more things.

She loved her grandkids and was "that fun grandma" that would get down on the floor to play with you. She'd brings prizes for Bingo and loved card games. There was always FUN when Grandma Sheila was around.

Sheila is preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Kyril Brown, 1st husband William Mackie Black Sr., and daughter LaDonna Black.

She is survived by her husband Richard Whidden of Hastings, MI, son Bill Black Jr. and wife Kimberly Black of The Woodlands, TX, Son Ken and wife Kathleen Black of Grand Ledge, MI, son Darrell Black and wife Tina Echelbarger of Alto, MI, daughter Deana Brownlow and husband John Brownlow of Ada, MI, daughter Darla Bloom and husband Dr. Scott Bloom, OD of Hastings, MI, 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, brother Butch Brown and wife Sandy Brown of Lake Odessa, MI, sister Dede and husband Jon Siverly of Murfreesboro, TN, brother Michael Brown and wife Jayne Brown of Lake Odessa, MI, and countless nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at on Saturday, September 10, 2022. We invite friends and family to join us from 2 - 4:00 pm at the home of Deana and John Brownlow, 1629 Buttrick Ave. SE, Ada, MI 49301 with a private ceremony for immediate family only to follow. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.