Sheila Gifford

COLUMBIA - The family of Sheila Gifford, 77, celebrates her life, as she passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born in Mount Airy, NC, she was a daughter of the late Roy Willard and late Willie Ruth Dollyhigh. She was the beloved step-daughter of Bobby Dollyhigh.

A memorial service for Sheila will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Northeast Presbyterian Church. A visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Northeast Presbyterian Church.

Sheila grew up in Mounty Airy, North Carolina, where she graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1964. She then went on to graduate in 1968 from Nursing School at NC Baptist Hospital of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Sheila graduated in 1973 from nurse anesthesia school at NC Baptist Hospital of Wake Forest University. She worked as a nurse anesthetist for several years before focusing on her family.

Sheila was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Family was Sheila’s first priority, and her grandson, Dillon, was the apple of her eye.

Sheila was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed helping the community and was involved in various medical wives and women’s organizations.

Sheila was a friend, confidante, cook, lover of cookbooks, dog mom, bridge player and golfer. She expressed a keen interest in all who knew her and called her friend, and she loved to share family recipes, along with her cooking tips and tricks.

Sheila was a strong, brave woman, both in life and in facing her chronic pulmonary illness. She refused to allow it to slow her down, and she embodied courage and strength in all she did.

Sheila will be profoundly missed by not only her family, but also by those who had the good fortune to know her and call her friend.

Surviving are her loving husband of 48 years, Robert R.M. Gifford, MD; son, Robert R.M. Gifford, Jr; daughter, Emily Gifford Lucey (Justin); and grandson, Dillon Gifford Lucey.

She was predeceased by her father, Roy Willard; mother, Willie Ruth Dollyhigh; and step-father, Bobby Dollyhigh.

The family would like to thank her friends and healthcare providers for their support, including Drs. Kristin Highland, Abhinav Gupta, Amanda Overstreet, and Rahul Argula. The family would also like to extend a very special thanks to Danielle Allen for the care and companionship she provided to Sheila.

Memorials may be made to Pets Inc., https://petsinc.org/support/, Harvest Hope, https://www.harvesthope.org/get-involved/donate-today Northeast Presbyterian Church https://nepresbyterian.org/giving/ or a charity of one’s choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.