Obituary

Shelia Lea Esch

November 26, 1943 - May 9, 2025

Shelia Lea Esch, age 81 and of Kentwood, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 9, 2025.  She was born on November 26, 1943, to Robert Nick Lea Sr. and Blanche Dykes Lea in Osyka, Mississippi.  A devoted servant of the Lord, Shelia lived her life as a testament to her deep and abiding faith.

She graduated from Spring Creek High School and practical nursing school.  She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse andlater earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Southwest Mississippi Community College and worked as a Registered Nurse.  She dedicated herself to caring, always putting the needs of others before her own.  Her passion for nursing was more than a profession – it was a calling.  Before her retirement, she taught future nurses to do the same with compassion and wisdom.

She cherished her beloved husband; held a profound love for her children; and her pride in her grandchildren and great grandchildren was boundless.  Her family brought her pure and immense joy.  A faithful member of East Fork Baptist Church, Shelia was deeply committed to her church family and poured her heart into loving and supporting her many friends and the community she held so dear.  Of all the loves in her life, the greatest was her love for Jesus.  We are confident that as she met her savior, she was welcomed with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday, May 12, 2025 at East Fork Baptist Church, Kentwood.  Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday, May 13, 2025  9:00 a.m. until funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jay Avance officiating.  The burial will be at East Fork Cemetery.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sue Lea Hendrickson; and brothers, Nick Lea and Rod Lea.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 63 years Clinton Carroll Esch; her children Clint Esch (Terri), Dylea White (Chris), and Rachel Dykes (Charlie); grandchildrenSamantha Occhipinti (Brad), Brooke Halley (Jason), Robert Broyles (May), Trey Esch (Isabel), Caleb Dykes (Jordan), Nick Dykes (Kristie), and Ethan Dykes; 6 great grandchildren, Grace Carroll Halley, Emmy Claire Halley, Ace Henry Occhipinti, Clark Joseph Esch, Carsyn Catherine Dykes, and Cas Joseph Occhipinti.  

Pallbearers will be Robert Broyles, Trey Esch, Caleb Dykes, Nick Dykes, Ethan Dykes, Brad Occhipinti, and Jason Halley.

Donations may be made to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center or East Fork Baptist Church Youth Fund.