VALDESE, N.C. — James Larry Sheets, 71, of Hickory, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Frye Regional Medical Center, following a period of declining health. James was born on December 12, 1947 in Carter County, Tenn., to the late Fred Thomas Sheets and Mary Evelyn Heaton Sheets.
James was a member of Refuge Baptist Church in Hickory and was retired from Spectrum Dyed Yarns, where he had worked for over 45 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Stanton Sheets; four brothers, Ben, Jack and Jess Sheets and John D. Blevins; two sisters, Maude Riley and Martha Propst; and extended family, Scott E. Bolin.
Surviving are his three children, Angel Crawley and husband Kevin of Nebo, Martha “Sissy” Mitschke and husband Robert of Connelly Springs, and Freddie Sheets, of the home. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, James Ashe and wife Leah, Timothy Ashe and wife Chelsey, Ashley Traxler, Joseph Henson and wife Brandi, Natalie Henson, Isaiah Sheets and Hannah Sheets; three great-grandchildren, Emma Ashe, Ryder Lee Byrd and Mason Traxle; extended family, April Bolin, Andy Price and Raby Coleman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 26, at 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Service with Rev. Ernest Bartley and Rev. Robert Ashe officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. At other times the family will gather at the home of Martha Mitschke. Memorials may be sent to Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Sheets family.