Born December 26, 1948 in Nassau, Bahamas, Shelia was the first of seven kids by her mother Mary. As a child she was known to have a very care-free nature and nothing seemed to bother her.
At the age of sixteen she met and fell deeply in love with a home town boy named Erwin Johnson. The couple soon wed and from their union produced eight children; five girls and three boys. The marriage was tumultuous and unfulfilling for Shelia. Her escape was her faith and her children of whom she devoted her life to. No matter how difficult, she found time to engage with her children in prayer, bible study and church services; however after nineteen years and unable to endure any longer, Shelia made the life-changing decision to end her marriage. She didn’t leave empty handed however; without knowing how she’d survive she left with all eight children for a new beginning in the United States. The year was 1982.
The next few years proved to be as expected; extremely difficult but she had the help of her brother and sisters. They lovingly supported her by opening their homes for her and her eight children. Shelia soon found a church where she and her children would attend and soon after they joined as members. Shelia was well on her way to achieving the American Dream but she’d have to overcome some major obstacles first.
Now that the kids were settled in with her siblings it was time for Shelia to focus so she took a few odds and ends jobs and was able to send her daughters to college. This brought her so much joy but desperately wanting to better provide for all her children and have them all under one roof, Shelia knew she needed to take drastic measures. She soon enrolled in school to get her GED and for a period of time she held three jobs and never complained for she had a goal in sight.
The years swept by and within four years after her arrival to the U.S. Shelia had her four oldest children (all girls) in college. Somehow she knew she still hadn’t arrived and there was still more to be done. So she continued on her path but never forgetting the one thing that kept her, her unwavering faith in God. Though at times she felt she couldn’t endure anymore and wondered how long, she persevered knowing he would never leave or forsake her.
She continued on and eventually secured employment in Dade County Public School System. It is here that she made the decision to earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Her years in the school system afforded her the opportunity of meeting many people as she was transferred from school to school. Her positive personality and penchant for helping others was known wherever she went and as a result she was called upon often for support but mostly for prayers.
Twenty plus years later and the young island girl has now become a US citizen, the Author of a book title “WHAT IF SHE KNEW SHE WAS POWERFUL” the proud grandmother of seventeen grandchildren, one great grandchild four sonsin-law and one daughter-in-law. Although many things have changed throughout the years two things remain constant; her unwavering faith in God and her devotion to her children. Her strong faith and “don’t quit” attitude is deeply imbedded in her children and is evident today. Shelia takes pride in knowing that her five daughters have earned a masters degree, two sons have earned bachelor degrees and one son is proudly serving his country as a US Marine. To her family she is a living legend and considered the glue that holds them all together, Shelia is happily married to Mr. Jerry Peters.
The next chapters of her life…. well stay tuned, but we know whatever it is that she wishes for she will no doubt accomplish it and more.