Sheila Shelyla (Shobe) Gazaway began her life’s journey when she was born March 22, 1939, to Edwin Frederick and Florence (Harper) Shobe in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sheila was the youngest of four children: Ernstine, her sister, and Edwin and Charles, her two brothers. Her immediate family also included her beloved grandfather, Harry Henry Harper: all preceded her in death.Continue Reading

Sheila Shelyla (Shobe) Gazaway began her life’s journey when she was born March 22, 1939, to Edwin Frederick and Florence (Harper) Shobe in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sheila was the youngest of four children: Ernstine, her sister, and Edwin and Charles, her two brothers. Her immediate family also included her beloved grandfather, Harry Henry Harper: all preceded her in death.
Following the death of her parents within months of each other, Sheila moved to Cincinnati with her foster parents, Theodore and Glaydis Bonner, who preceded her in death.
Sheila was a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School and later, the University of Cincinnati, where she was often recognized on the Dean’s List for academic achievement.
She met her husband, Robert, in the early fifties at a church. He was 16 and she was 15. In reminiscing about that first meeting she would fondly tell that she did not understand what all the excitement was about “this boy with the Coca-Cola glasses.” After several dates including his senior prom, they went their separate ways until Sheila returned to Cincinnati in the late fifties.
This relationship was re-ignited in 1959, and they were married August 24, 1961. To this union three children were born – Christopher Robert, Geoffrey Dylan and Leslie Karen. As the children entered school, Sheila became involved in their school life, serving as a room mother, field trip coordinator and general volunteer. All the while, she was the business manager at home, a chef, and a loving, supportive wife to Bobby.
When Leslie entered kindergarten, Sheila said, “It’s my time!” She returned to school for her real estate license and became a full time and successful real estate agent with Coldwell Bankers Realtors. Later she trained as a speech pathologist at U.C., but illness unfortunately prevented her from pursuing further work outside the home.
Sheila was devoted to her grandchildren and was both present for each birth and provided each care for an extended period.
In later years – with no children at home, the grandchildren starting school and her husband still working – Sheila would often call his office to announce travel plans to Europe, Maui and her availability to attend a variety of educational conferences with him throughout the country.
Sheila was an active member of the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church. She transitioned peacefully on September 22, 2024, at St. Margaret Hall with her husband beside her. It was her wish that her body be given to the U.C. Medical College to further their research of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sheila leaves behind her husband, Robert; children: Christopher Robert Gazaway, Geoffrey Dylan Gazaway, and Leslie Karen Collins (Mark); grandchildren: Brittany Diane Gazaway, Rebecca Elizabeth Collins, and Michael Edwards Collins; a daughter-in-love, Mary Teresa Bussell; and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in remembrance of our beloved Sheila Gazaway.
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