Caroline Luce Harrison Sheets (known as DeeDee to her family and close friends), daughter of Arthur William and Marie Patton (BeBe) Harrison, was born at St. Louis Maternity Hospital on Sept. 26, 1928, in St. Louis. She was 93 when she passed away on Aug. 23, 2022, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau, while holding the hands of her daughters.
DeeDee grew up in Cape Girardeau, attended Washington and Lorimier Schools before attending Monticello Preparatory Junior College for high school. She graduated from high school at sixteen and began studying at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College. Her interests there were vocal music, literature and history.
After W.W. II ended, she married Jack Lusk Sheets on June 4, 1946. They traveled and lived in various cities for four years, before resettling in Cape Girardeau to rear their children, Jay, Pam and Sue.
As a young family, they were very active with multiple interests and businesses, including farming, cattle ranching, traveling, retail sales, child rearing and an active social life.
DeeDee was a member of various organizations including P.E.O. Chapter GF., Daughters of the American Revolution and the Cape Choraliers. She had been a member of the Clio society during her years spent at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College, as it was known then.
After rearing young children, DeeDee returned to work and was hired, specifically to be the head of circulation, at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. It was a good fit since she had always been an avid reader. She had a love of learning and a vast store of knowledge on any number of topics. Her advice, as well as Jack’s was, “learn one new thing everyday” and she lived that everyday.
After retiring, her interests were always on family, followed closely by traveling, her pets, gardening, cooking, spending time at her beloved cottage in Onekama, MI, and even in her 90s, a good party. You may have even seen DeeDee driving around town, taking one of her dogs for a car ride, joy on both their faces.
DeeDee lived her life fully; she fiercely loved her family, her country and loved learning. She was charming, beautiful on the outside and inside, had faith and knowledge. She was, and will continue to be, loved by her family and friends alike.
DeeDee is survived by her three children, Dr. Jay (Chris) Sheets, Pam (Al) Spradling, and Dr. Susan Sheets. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Jordan (Lainey) Sheets, Emily (Garrett) Harrington, Bert (girlfriend Brandy Kearbey) Spradling, Brooke Spradling, Alex (Tiffany) Spradling, and Ross H. (Sarah) Freeman, and five great grandchildren, Kamryn and Jackson Spradling, Molly and Jillian Spradling and Audrey Harrington.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jack Lusk Sheets, great grandson William Michael Freeman, brothers Donald L. Harrison and Arthur (Jack) Harrison and her beloved recent dogs, Thor and Daisy.
Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., followed by a private family internment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SEMO Pets (formerly Humane Society), Weimaraner Rescue, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.
