Obera Shields

ROCK SPRING Elsie Obera Smith Shields, 96, passed away Friday, April 29, 2011, at a local healthcare facility.Obera was a lifelong resident of Walker County and a member of the Church of Christ. She was a dedicated wife and mother and loved spending time with her family.Obera was preceded in death by husband of 53 years, John W. "Bill" Shields; grandchildren, Jeremy Shields, Jess Shields, Steve Ballard; and great-grandson, Bradley Shields.Obera is survived by sons, Bill (Geraldine) Shields, Rock Spring, Lebron (Darlene) Shields, Vero Beach, Fla., Don (Amelia) Shields, Ringgold, David (Valerie Johnson) Shields, Knoxville; daughters, Diann Shields-Bell, Ringgold, Elsie (Burton) Gaston, Rossville, Sally (Lamar) McWhorter, Rome, Ga., Joyce (Lloyd) Wright, New Market, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Vickie Shields, Knoxville; brother, Glenn (Suzy) Smith, Minnesota, sister, Martha (Raymond) Alexander; sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Mason, Chickamauga; 15 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Don Shields officiating. Interment will be in Rock Spring Cemetery.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jeremy and Jess Shields, in honor of Dona Shields Sabine, to Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, or in memory of Steve Ballard to Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Gift Processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727.The family will receive friends 1-4 and 5-7 p.m. Sunday, at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.