Person Page - 778

     Oswald was born in September 1920 at Madison Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Lester Shea and Nettie Mamie G. Brannen. Oswald died on 22 January 1988 at Jacksonville, North Carolina, at age 67.
     
Biography of Oswald Paul Shea:

SECOND SON AND CHILD OF LESTER SHEA AND NETTIE MAE SHEA

Oswald Paul Shea nicknamed "Mutt" was a feisty red haired boy. He grew up in the Shady Grove area of Florida. Later Lester and Nettie moved to a farm in Greenville. He attended Greenville High School, but did not graduate. He joined the Marine Corps when the World War II started and fought mostly in the Phillipine Islands. He was shot in the legs and spent a long time recuperating in a government hospital. After World War II ended, Mutt continued to have nightmares about being shot. One nightmare was that he was in the water and his legs were gone.

Following the World War II, Mutt was stationed in Virginia. While stationed there, he met Mary Sofchek, who worked in Washington, D.C. Mary was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Of Yugoslavian descendent, Mary was a beautiful woman. While in her late teens, Mary had gone to sleep for six months and could not be roused. In fact, a priest was administering the last rites when she woke up. Consequently, she had been referred to as the ''sleeping beauty."

After their marriage, Mary was required to stop working with the federal government and accompany her husband to various locations. They had six children: 5 girls and one boy. The sleeping problem occurred again after the birth of their last child, Mary Ellen. This time the problem was diagnosed as a brain tumor and the tumor was removed.

Mutt continued to advance in the Marine Corp in the enlisted ranks. He was sent to Korea and to Vietnam during those conflicts. Finally, he became a Command Sergeant Major at Jacksonville Marine Corps Station, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Unfortunately, his service in many conflicts led to a drinking problem for Mutt. While he was full of life and a great entertainer, to include tap dancing, as in many cases, he was not pleasant when drinking.

After his retirement and when their children were grown, Mary left Mutt and went to live with one of her daughters. He continued to live at his home and raised produce which he sold to the Commissary at Jacksonville until his death of a heart attack in 1988, just six months before the death of his mother.

On the day he passed away, his sister, Delray was visiting. She had come to stay with him a few days as he had been in the hospital with a heart problem and had just come home. In his usual jolly manner, he told her to make some banana pudding--he was going to take a nap and he would eat it when he woke up. So saying, he tap danced down the hall and went to sleep. Later she went to wake him, but he had died in his sleep.

     He married Mandy Blanche Hurst, daughter of Jesse Taylor Hurst and Martha Ann Abigail Brannan, circa 1910.

     He married Mary Williams, .

     Norma was born on 25 July 1925 at Richmond, Henrico Co., Virginia. She was the daughter of James Sheely and Mary Williams. She married Royce McVeigh Cottingham, son of Robert Thomas Cottingham and Sadie Lee Phelps, on 26 December 1941 at South Mills, North Carolina.¹ Norma died on 16 August 1996 at Williamsburg, James City Co., Virginia, at age 71. Her body was buried at Williamsburg, James City Co., Virginia.

     Barclay was born on 19 November 1908 at Rockland, Tyler Co., Texas.¹ He was the son of James Isam Sheffield Sr. and Mary Jane Barclay. He married an unknown person on 14 December 1935 at Jefferson Co., Texas. Barclay died in December 1983 at Houston, Harris Co., Texas, at age 75.

     Benjamin was born on 12 February 1890 at Texas.¹ He was the son of James Isam Sheffield Sr. and Mary Jane Barclay. He married an unknown person circa 1911 at Texas. Benjamin died on 19 April 1963 at McLennan Co., Texas, at age 73. His body was buried after 19 April 1963 at Bremond, Robertson Co., Texas.

     Beulah was born on 1 August 1891.¹ She was the daughter of James Isam Sheffield Sr. and Mary Jane Barclay. Beulah died on 20 August 1973 at Houston, Harris Co., Texas, at age 82.

     Carl was born on 1 April 1901 at Rockland, Tyler Co., Texas.¹ He was the son of James Isam Sheffield Sr. and Mary Jane Barclay. Carl died on 19 March 1963 at Harris Co., Texas, at age 61. His body was buried at Houston, Harris Co., Texas.

     Connie was born on 20 July 1883.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph A. J. Sheffield and Margarett Ann Scott. Connie died on 21 December 1886 at Colquitt, Miller Co., Georgia, at age 3. Her body was buried at Roberts Cemetery, Miller Co., Georgia.

     Cullie was born on 10 January 1880 at Colquitt, Miller Co., Georgia.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph A. J. Sheffield and Margarett Ann Scott. She married Wright Williams, . Cullie died on 17 April 1963 at Colquitt, Miller Co., Georgia, at age 83.¹ Her body was buried at Roberts Cemetery, Miller Co., Georgia.