Sheilah Belle Whitt, 68, of New Castle, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Sheilah was born on December 25, 1953, in Whitewood, Virginia to the late Hurly and Katie Whitt.

Sheilah is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Whitt; and her sister, Jennifer May.

Sheilah was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, cousin, and friend who adored her family tremendously. She was born in Whitewood, Virginia, on Christmas Day in 1953, as one of nine children to Hurley and Katie Whitt. Sheilah helped raise all of her siblings until leaving home and traveling all over the country. She had the gift of gab and loved meeting new people. She loved going to comedy clubs, dancing, taking long drives in her sports car, jamming out to music, and just enjoying life. Once she settled down, Sheilah became a hardworking mother, who took pride in her career as a plasterer for nearly 20 years. She gave birth to her children, and they became the light of her life. She took her role as a mother as an honor and cared for them well into their adult years, making sure they always knew how much she loved them. Sheilah was at every sporting event, and every school program, cheering and supporting them in everything they did. She truly loved Christmas and made all of them so magical, forgetting it was her own birthday. She enjoyed the last years of her life taking it easy at her home on the creek in New Castle, planting flowers, cooking, watching her favorite shows, and spending time with her family. Her life revolved around her children and grandchildren. She was a fighter. She was tough. Any obstacles she faced, she took them head on while keeping her beautiful smile shining and making the best of it. There will never be enough words to explain what a great loss this is for her family. She was and always will be the centerpiece of their life and will be missed immensely.

Those left to cherish Sheilah's lovely memory are her children, Melissa Hodges (husband, Brian), James Hodges (wife, Shawna), and Matthew Harris (wife, Jamie); and her grandchildren, Zoey, Sadie, Hudson, Piper, Bailey, Bella, and a grandson on the way.

The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home Chapel.