Toshiko Sheets

Toshiko (Judy ) Sheets, age 90 years old, entered eternal rest after a long illness at her home in Danville WV on June 21, 2023

Toshiko was well known in the Madison/Danville and surrounding area as Judy. A name that was given to her when she first came to the USA in 1953.

In Japan, Toshiko met a handsome young American GI, Johnie Lee Sheets. They married in Tokyo and Johnie brought her to West Virginia where they raised a beautiful family. Toshiko dearly loved the mountains of West Virginia.

Toshiko was born March 5 1933 in Kofu City Japan. The youngest daughter of Suke and Aiji Sato, who preceded her in death.

Toshiko came to West Virginia in April 1953 not knowing anyone but her husband. Since that time, she has made a multitude of very close friends.

Toshiko was a homemaker until 1972 when she started as a substitute cook for the Boone County Board of Education and later, head cook until her retirement in 1998. She immediately started working as a substitute cook from 1998 until 2017 at the young age of 84. During this time, she had worked at every school in Boone County feeding countless children and school staff.

During her tenure, she was selected as Cook of the Year for the West Virginia Food Service Association. Along with that honor she was then selected as National Cook of the Year for the National Food Service Association.

As an immigrant, Toshiko had an ambition to become a nationalized American citizen. As her children were being educated, she used this opportunity to improve her English and learn more about American life and culture.  In 1976 with the help of friends and family, Toshiko achieved her goal, becoming a Nationalized American citizen.

Toshiko had a great sense of humor and was a social butterfly. She had a close network of friends with which she would travel across the USA. The tales they told and wouldn’t tell.

Toshiko leaves behind a large loving family, which was very important to her. Family gatherings was her lifeline and she made sure everyone was fed and taken care of.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Suke and Aiji Sato, brothers, Shizuo Sato, Haruo Sato, Yosio Sato and Katsuo Sato. Her husband and life partner, Johnie Lee Sheets, known to the children as DODDY, her son Rodney Wade Sheets and great grandson Nathaniel.

Left to cherish her memories, sister, Mitsuko Sato of Tokyo, Japan. Sons, Rick (Loretta) Sheets of Auburndale Fl., Randall (Sharon) Sheets of South Charleston, Ronald Sheets (Annette Miller) of Danville, Daughter, Kathy Sheets of Danville, Daughter in Law, Tammy Sheets of Danville.

10 Grandchildren, Nicci Sheets, Jonathan (Amber) Sheets, Dr. Nicholas Sheets (fiancé, Diana Robles), Joshua Sheets, Jason Sheets, Ronnie (Erin) Sheets, Dustin (Sammie) Sheets, Tosha Dunlap, Ashley (Randy) Cain and Matthew Dunlap (fiancé, Callie Marion).

17 Great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Special thanks and consideration to caregiver, Donna Canterbury, Emelia Spencer and the nurses and staff at Dignity Home Health.

Services to honor the life of Toshiko will be held on Sunday June 25, 2023. Visitation service will be at 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Handley Funeral Home, Danville WV with the Rev. Donald Kerns officiating. After services, burial will be at Memory Gardens, Low Gap WV.