Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Aletha Maxine Story Sheets
Obituary
Our beloved Aletha Maxine Story Sheets of High Point, NC, joined her Savior in Heaven on May 13th, 2023. She was 88.
Born on August 1, 1934 in Lexington, NC to the late Vernon and Grace Story, Aletha’s love for the Lord Jesus and musical talents emerged early in life. At age 16, she won first place in Oregon’s state vocal talent competition. She also became a proficient pianist and organist. One of her most cherished memories was of standing on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, singing “The Holy City.”
After completing her studies at Salem Academy High in 1952, Aletha married Jim Sheets, who became her lifelong “Kisser.” From there, the couple served pastorates in El Monte (CA), Aurora (OR), High Point (NC), Troy (NC), Greensboro (NC), Asheboro (NC), and Port Huron (MI). Soon after, the Sheets family began traveling across North America to serve congregations by leading vocal worship at sacred concerts, camp meetings, church services, revivals, and more. Together they returned to pastoral appointments, first at Calvary Wesleyan Church in Greensboro, NC, and then at Covington Memorial Wesleyan Church in Reidsville, NC.
In the 1970s, Aletha worked at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, NC, as a Kindergarten teacher assistant. Several years later she expressed her limitless compassion and creativity as a teacher assistant at Gateway Education Center with students of differing abilities.
Aletha is preceded in her permanent move into eternity by husband Jim Sheets, brother Vernon Story, son David Sheets, daughter-in-law Sally Sheets, and granddaughter Stacia Sheets.
Among those grieving Aletha are her son, Paul Sheets, daughter Judith Anne Davis and husband Ken, daughter-in-law Bea Sheets, siblings Becky Lewis, Ken Story, Carolyn Fowler, and Dorothy Skinner. To 8 grandchildren and spouses she was lovingly referred to as “Grandma” and “Nana,” and to 16 great-grandchildren, “Grandma” and “Nana-the-Great.”
When asked to describe Aletha’s life, surviving family members use the words talented, service to the Lord, positivity, people-lover, cheerful, faithful, humbly unaware of her brilliance, thrifty, innocent, compassionate, social butterfly, and sensitive in her ministry. If you knew Aletha, add your own descriptions to this list by signing the guest book below.
You’re invited to join Aletha’s family for viewing and fellowship on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 from 3:00-7:00pm EDT at Cumby Family Funeral Service: 1015 Eastchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina. If you are able to meet the family at Troy First Wesleyan Cemetery in Troy, NC, a graveside service led by her son-in-law, Rev. Kenneth Davis, will be shared at 11:00am on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023.
You’re also welcome and highly encouraged to attend a Virtual Celebration of Life Service & Reception (register below) for Aletha, which will take place at 4:30pm EDT on Friday, June 2, 2023. This online service is not just a place to remember our Aletha; it’s also for those who never knew her to come and hear about the tremendous legacy she left.
Viewing & Reception
Tuesday, May 23, 2023,
3:00-7:00pm Eastern Time (EDT)
Aletha LOVED people, fellowship, & food! Her family invites you to join us for a social viewing & reception with all her favorite things.
Cumby Family Funeral Service
1015 Eastchester Dr.
High Point, NC 27262
Burial Service
Wednesday, May 24th, 2023
11:00am Eastern Time (EDT)
First Wesleyan Church
1368 NC-134
Troy, NC 27371
Virtual Celebration of Life &
Online Reception
Recorded Friday, June 2, 2023
Aletha’s family invites you to view the Celebration of Life Service & Reception honoring her life and legacy.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
Jim and Aletha Sing
Jim and Aletha were musicians and ministry partners for 70 years. Their love for the Lord was expressed through their songs. Please enjoy their album that was recorded in 1980 just before they entered 8 years of full-time itinerate ministry through music & preaching.
In Lieu Of Flowers Please Consider Donating To World Hope International
World Hope International (WHI) is a Christian relief and development organization working with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty, suffering, and injustice. Aletha would be so honored to know your donations in her memory were helping this cause so near to her heart.
It was a blessing to be able to share in this tribute of such a special lady. I often end up asking the Lord to help me be more like ‘that’. Your families have touched so many lives. May God continue this work until we all get to heaven.
Dear Alethea and Dear Jim, were precious sweet and kind friends to me and my family while at Covington Wesleyan in Reidsville and beyond our Covington years. Dear family, both Alethea and Jim, hold a very place in my heart. We experienced so many great times together and I will be forever grateful for blessing of knowing them. Praying for all of you, but rejoice, they are safely home, healed and happy!
Mom Sheets was loved by everyone. However, I heard David, her late son, say numerous times, “My mother is a saint.” He adored his mother. She could do no wrong in his eyes. He loved playing organ-piano and/or piano duets with her. David admired how Mom Sheets could play any show tune or sacred music without the written notes. They also shared navigation/directional awareness. She remembered highways and locations so keenly. David and Mom Sheets were energized by connecting with people. But Mom Sheets would remember their names and where they were located long after their face to face encounter. I can picture her re-connecting and making new friends in Heaven. She has probably figured out the map of Heaven’s streets and whose mansion is next to whose. She and David have found an organ and piano on which to play their praises to Jesus. Hopefully, David has the ability to play by ear now because the wind of the angel’s wings keep blowing the written music off the piano. They are fine. Just fine. And we are going to be okay too.
Wow, mom! This is so beautifully said. Piano duets of worship to Jesus and playing by ear for all of eternity.
It’s through tears and much sadness that I remember my close friend, Aletha. I know she’s in heaven with Jim, but it just hasn’t settled in, yet. Would she want to come back? I don’t think so. Spending a lot of time with her when we did the music together at Calvary, shopping, traveling to various places, having dinner with them, anyplace, concerts, or just visiting, we made a lot of great memories. And, the Christmas time we shared with them, and the Summers, was so special. We laughed a lot, at each other, or at something else. We often sang together when traveling. We shared things together, and if we didn’t have answers, we would pray about it.The last time I called her, we had a great phone visit. We talked about some of the memories we had made, and again, we laughed together. She sounded more like herself than she had in a long time. But, I knew she was hurting and missing Jim. She did finally admit that she had her “moments”. I cannot tell you how much I will miss her. But, I know I will see her again! God Bless all of the family. We will be praying for all of you as you face these days ahead.
Betty, Grandma cherished your friendship so very much. Thank you for these beautiful memories and for loving her so well. She will be so missed.