Jocelyn Sheets

Jocelyn Kay Sheets, 64, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Linwood, Kansas, passed away Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at her residence.

She was born Nov. 24, 1957, to Dean and Juanita Portwood, Sheets in Kansas City, Kansas.

Jocelyn worked as a sports editor and journalist at newspapers in Kansas, Iowa and Missouri. Her first love was music, and she played trumpet for the Iola City Band. Jocelyn loved sports; she became the sports editor at the Iola Register in Iola, Kansas, where she spent 26 years of her career. She was the first woman in the state of Kansas to be named Sportswriter of the Year.

She loved being a part of young people's lives. She spent time teaching photography and writing to 4-H students and mentored high school photography students. Jocelyn was a member of the Iola First Christian Church.

Survivors include father, Dean Sheets of Linwood; brothers, Monte Sheets of McLouth, Kansas, and Jeffry (Pam) Sheets of Richmond Hill, Georgia; sister, Stephanie (Jeff) McDonald of Richmond, Kansas; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Jocelyn was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Sheets; brother, Michael Sheets; and her grandparents.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

A purple celebration of life -- those attending must wear purple -- will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 3 at First Christian Church of Iola.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crain Funeral Home.