Viola Sheffield Pickles

VIOLA SHEFFIELD PICKLES
September 7, 1927 – September 7, 2014
"… But the greatest of these is love." I Corin. 13:13. Viola Sheffield Pickles, left her earthly family on September 7, 2014, with her daughters, Judy, Linda, and Brenda, and son-in-law, Keith, at her side. She joyfully joins her Heavenly Father and her husband, James O. "Pick" Pickles, the one and only love of her life. She was born on September 7, 1927, in Taylor County, Florida, to Jerry Russell Sheffield and Nicy Jane Wilson Sheffield. She lived in Madison County, Florida, until moving to Lake Park, Georgia, in March 2001. She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Judy and Keith Allsbrook, Twin Lakes, Georgia; Brenda Pickles, Twin Lakes, Georgia; Linda and Jim Lester, and his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Remer Drew, Valdosta, Georgia; sisters, Florine Cope and Iris Wells Ridell of Perry, Florida, two sisters-in-law, Mable Ragans and Lorena "Dutsy" Pickles of Madison, Florida, numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, James O. "Pick" Pickles, brothers J. R. Sheffield and Floyd Sheffield and sister, Hazel Graham Alvarez. Her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, and many, many special friends and neighbors were the joy of her life and she loved spending time with them. She loved life and a good laugh better than most. She was a gracious southern beauty who had a very tender, loving, caring and compassionate heart with an extraordinary ability to see the beauty in all of God's creation. She loved all people and was always willing to share whatever she had whenever and wherever there was a need. She loved cooking, crocheting, sewing, and especially loved growing beautiful flowers and plants. She was a star basketball player in her high school days in Taylor County, Florida. Nothing made her happier than an all night game of Rummy with her sisters, spending time with her girls and friends, and, a great garage sale find which, of course, had to be at a "bargain" price. She loved fishing as long as someone else baited her hook and could make the best hush puppies and swamp cabbage ever. She loved cooking and prepared many great home style meals and loved sharing them with family and friends.
Ms. Vi was one of the very best in food service and loved the profession. She began a life long career in food service as a "Waitress" working in an era when white uniforms and caps were the appropriate attire. She moved from Taylor County at the young age of 18 to Tampa, Florida, working in food service and later in Perry, Florida, at the Blue Plate Café, and in Madison, Florida, at Hancock Grill, Madison Dining Room, The Big Oak, Pep's Café, and later owning and managing her own restaurant, "Vi's Restaurant" located on Highway 53, which was a popular local gathering place for many years where she fed many folks in Madison County and has long since been remembered for her great Home Cooking, Hamburger Steaks, and Jumbo Hamburgers.
Her unwavering faith and trust in God saw her through many illnesses throughout the years, however, she fought each battle with unimaginable strength and courage and she remained faithful to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ praying for her friends and family until the very end. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Madison, Florida, before moving to Lake Park, Georgia, where she was a current member of New Life Church.
A memorial service will be held at New Life Church, 7505 Zeigler Road, Lake Park, GA 31636, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2014, with her son-in-law, Pastor Keith Allsbrook officiating. A reception in celebration of Ms. Vi's life will be held in the Fellowship Hall at New Life Church immediately following the service.
Interment will be held in a private family service at San Pedro Cemetery in Madison, Florida, in the Pickles Family Plot beside her husband. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made in her memory to New Life Church of Lake Park, P. O. Box 276, Lake Park, Ga 31636, or to Hospice of South Georgia P.O. Box 1727 Valdosta, GA, 31601.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Wanda Brown for her love, devotion and care for our mother and our family during these past several months.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602