Sheila D. Graham-Grant September 28, 1960 - October 4, 2023

Sheila Denise Graham-Grant, age 63, of North Chicago, Illinois with a sprinkle of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Las Vegas, Nevada, Atlanta, Georgia, and Cincinnati, Ohio was called up to The Most High Ahayah on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Sheila Denise, or better known as Mother Mahashamayam amongst church members, was born in Waukegan Illinois on September 28,1960. She was the middle child of three born to Samuel and Mary Frances Graham Sr. Sheila had two siblings, her older sister, Wanda "Whimpy" Elaine Graham - North Chicago, Illinois, and her baby brother Samuel "Punkin" Graham Jr – Chicago, Illinois.

Sheila graduated from North Chicago High School in 1978 where she excelled in academics such as accounting and math, spoke fluent French as well as participated on the girls Track Team as a Hurdler and sprinter. She was a member of the Cheerleading teams, a member of the high school bowlers, played softball as a Catcher, was a fashionista, loved playing darts, and enjoyed sewing and making her own clothes. Upon graduating from high school, Sheila attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi and Parkside College in Racine, Wisconsin where she majored in Accounting.

Sheila Denise later went on to have three beautiful and amazing and innovative children- Kyoshi Tenise Graham (eldest), Terry Samuel Graham (middle), and Daryl Vancy Bridges (youngest) whom she guided and loved more than anything and anyone. Sheila became a granny to her first grandson, Danatrés "Trés" Jermaine Graham. A few years later, her second  grandchild Dia "MooMoo" LaNiece Graham was born, and she spent a lot of time spoiling them both by taking them shopping, buying them books and toys, and having sleepovers on the sofa  bed at her place. Sheila was a great mother and better granny. She became a granny again to her second granddaughter Genesis Nikell, then came Bennie "Boodah" Payne III, and finally  Jordan Mikaila Samaria. Mahashamayam loved being a mother and grandmother.

In-between being a daughter, sister, mother, grand-mother, and friend, Sheila worked for organizations such as Kemper Insurance, Clark Atlanta University, and she worked for the City of North Chicago as a dispatcher for several years where she was highly awarded for her work and service as a Dispatcher. The City of North Chicago is also where Sheila Denise retired. In late August of 2016 Sheila gave her life to Christ Yashaya and got baptized in The Gathering of Christ Church located in Chicago IL, along with her youngest son Daryl better known as Ka-wal. After that it was no looking back at her old ways and self, but only forward. In the Chicago Church body, she was known as the "Sandwich lady" because she would come to Saturday sabbath class faithfully with 2 huge bags of home-made croissant sandwiches for all the church members that wanted a little snack to put on their bellies.

Losing her daughter to Cancer, she cleaved closer to Daryl and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Once there she was able to find more of her functions and works in the Gathering of Christ Church - Ohio Chapter.

She loved four things outside of Christ Yashaya and The Most High Ahayah: nice heels, children of ALL ages, coffee...and being nosey. Her famous quote was always, "I got paid to be nosey". She would arrive at church early to set up the coffee station and ensure everyone could reap the benefits of having a good cup. Now, instead of bringing sandwiches like she always did, she focused more on the children. She would bring bags of candy, chips, juices, colouring books, and toys. It would greatly brighten up her day to have all the children's faces light up as they run up to her, yelling "Grandma and Granny".

Sheila leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Ms. Mary Frances Graham; her children,  Daryl Vancy Bridges (Laphathyah) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Terry Samuel Graham (Nikisha) of Wiesbaden, Germany;  her siblings, Wanda Elaine Graham of North Chicago, Illinois, and Samuel Graham Jr. of Chicago Illinois; son-in-law Bennie Payne II; grandchildren,  Danatrés Jermaine Graham, Dia LaNiece Graham, Bennie Payne III, Genesis Nikell Graham, Jordan Mikaila Samaria Graham, and Honesty Donea McKinstry; great grand-children,  Zuri Rae Kelly, Daniyla Donnley, and a host of children and grandchildren that she loved, babysat, and cared for along the way.

Sheila is preceded in death by her revered, earthly father, Mr. Samuel Graham Sr. and her beloved daughter, Kyoshi Tenise Graham-Payne.

Visitation is from 11:00 am until 12 noon, on  Monday, October 16, 2023, at the Walker Event Center, 3939 Reading Road (Corner of Reading and Paddock), Cincinnati  (45229).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 12 noon.

Interment will follow at Vine Street Hill Cemetery.

To share a memory of Sheila or leave a special message for the Graham-Grant family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Herbert T. Walker III and Walker Funeral Home  are  honored to serve the Graham-Grant family.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.