Verdell Sheets, 81, of Davenport, was ready to receive the lord in the early morning of Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice, Bettendorf. His daughter and great-grandson was by his side. Services will be 11 am Friday at Third Missionary Baptist Church, 222 W. 14th Street, Davenport. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Burial will be at Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Iowa. Memorials in care of the family.

Verdell was born in Calloway County, Missouri on August 2, 1937, a son of George and Mary Bruner Sheets. His father proudly served in the armed forces during World War II. Verdell attended the segregated Lincoln Laboratory High School, currently Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri. This was the only school which African American students were allowed to attend during this time period. He would travel thirty-seven miles by bus, often with a sack lunch of fried chicken he cooked from his very own chicken coop. An ingenious young man, he repaired bicycles, creating his own little bike shop behind his house in a shed. For years the shed stood with his name carved on the outside "Verdell's Bicycle Shop."

He married Jenette McDowell on April 19 , 1958 in Davenport. Verdell worked for 40 years at Alcoa, in the Heat Treatment and Thermal department in Davenport, retiring in 1999. He was a dedicated member of Local 105 United Steel Workers, Bettendorf and a member of the Third Missionary Baptist Church, Davenport.

Verdell was the epitome of a good man. One who loved everybody and would help anyone in need. "PaPa" as he was affectionately called by his precious grandchildren, he was adored by them all.

Circle of life: As he took his last breath, a new addition to the family was preparing to begin life. Baby Khias (little papa) was born nine hours later.

Survivors include his wife, Jenette Sheets, Davenport; children, Kelvin (Danielle) Sheets, Rock Island, Gwen Sheets, Davenport, Debbie Sheets, Davenport and Verdell Sheets Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren, Cameron, Latashia, Carlos, LaToya, Renata, Emily, Leeland, Desiree and Jalen; 13 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Raymond (Tina) Sheets, Davenport, Iowa, and George and James Sheets, both of Mexico, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Joe Sheets - a Vietnam veteran and sister Marguerite Anderson.