Sheila Keisler

Sheila Gayle Keisler went to her eternal reward on July 5, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Sheila was born to Leonard Virgil Howard of Batesburg and Neva Mae Walton Howard of Saluda. Born on May 2, 1959, she spent most of her childhood growing up in the Mill Village of Batesburg where she played with the neighborhood children in the creek behind Snap’s Beauty Shop.

She attended Batesburg-Leesville schools, graduating from Batesburg-Leesville High School in 1978. During her teenage years, she spent time hanging out with her brother “PeeWee” and sisters Linda, Debbie and Pat. She also enjoyed going to the Big Mo Drive In and driving up and down the “strip” in Batesburg with friends. She began attending Worship-Fellowship Church of God, then Batesburg Church of God, when she was around 12 years old. The church would become a major part of her life.


Sheila met her husband Ronald Keisler during her childhood and became romantically involved with him when she was 23 years old. Two years later, she married the love of her life, wedding on July 7, 1984. The two would remain together and truly become “one flesh” during the next 34 years. Sheila always tackled her husband’s endeavors alongside him, whether they be mowing lawns or collecting scrap iron. She was a supporter and advocate of her husband. She demonstrated her love for her husband daily through her acts of service.
In 1986, she gave birth to a son, Jeffrey, and six years later in 1992, a daughter Misty. She was a devoted mother, making sure that her children had everything they needed, providing discipline when necessary, but always having love as her primary motivation. Every morning before taking her children to school, she would cook a full breakfast for them and talk to them about issues of life one on one. During these developmental years, she became a confidante and friend that both of her children will sorely miss and cherish forever.

Sheila was devoted to her church and church family. She was involved in the children’s ministry for many years and impacted countless lives. Further, she hosted several events for neighborhood children like Easter egg hunts. Sheila loved children. She was the epitome of a selfless person and always put others ahead of herself. She sent encouraging cards and made phone calls to members of the church who were experiencing difficult times, even as she fought cancer herself. She was willing to go without so that other people could have what they needed.

Her faith was unshakeable. During her battle with cancer, she faced the disease fearlessly. Any time someone asked her about her fears, her token response was, “It’s in God’s hands.” She did not complain about the lot that had befallen her, but pressed on, pushing her limitations daily. Such unwavering faith is rarely seen and is a treasure for everyone it touches.

Sheila is predeceased by both of her parents, her brother Virgil “PeeWee” Howard and sister Linda Howard Cockrell. She leaves behind her husband of 34 years Maurice “Ronald” Keisler of Batesburg, son Jeffrey Keisler of Goose Creek, daughter Misty Keisler Jones with husband Chris and son Thomas all of Batesburg. Also remaining are her two sisters Patricia Price of Batesburg and Debra Boehme of Irmo.

Everyone is invited to meet with family and friends of the family at Milton Shealy Funeral Home on Sunday, July 8th from 6-8 pm. Memorial services will be held in the chapel at Milton Shealy Funeral Home on Monday, July 9th at 4 pm. The body will also be available for viewing in the hour immediately prior to the memorial service, with coffin closing 15 minutes before start of service.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:28-30 ESV