Lipscomb mourns the loss of Shelia Demonbreun
Kim Chaudoin |
The Lipscomb family is mourning the loss of Shelia Demonbreun, student accounts clerk in the Business Office. Demonbreun passed away on Sept. 24 following several prolonged health issues.
Demonbreun worked in the Business Office for the last 21 years. She was known by her colleagues for her quiet demeanor, hard work ethic and ever-present smile.
“Shelia Demonbreun was a great Christian woman who will be greatly missed. Shelia was a strong business woman with a sweet spirit and loving attitude. And consistently delivered results for our office and Lipscomb for over 20 years of service,” says Darrell Duncan, vice president of finance. “Shelia knew how to work hard, and she also knew how to leave work at work and focus on her life and family outside of work. She loved her family and would take great care of their needs.”
Duncan said Demonbreun was a steady hand in the Business Office. “She never got too worked up, even if the day was difficult,” recalls Duncan. “She truly lived in God's kingdom on this earth, she did not wait to start her journey only in heaven, she got a big head start as I witnessed during her time at Lipscomb.”
He recalled an informal tradition he shared with Demonbreun whenever at the end of the work day.
“I would ask Shelia, ‘have you had all the fun you can stand today?’ She would always reply "yes,’” says Duncan. “It was our little joke alluding to the challenges and work demands she often faced on a daily basis. However, Shelia always responded with a smile on her face and she always came back the next day ready to give 110% as she always did. Shelia is going to be one of the first people I hope to see again in heaven some day. She will be greatly missed.”
Memories from colleagues
Demonbreun’s colleagues in the Business Office also share fond memories of their longtime teammate.
“Shelia was a dear friend that always made me laugh. She always made time for me and was a hard worker that we could always count on,” remembers Michelle Upton, associate bursar. “She was a devoted spouse, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother and a wonderful Christian example to me. She will be dearly missed everyday for her steadfastness, gentle spirit, calmness under pressure and mostly her friendship.”
Mark Denning, student account representative says she was known for her dedication to her work and her impact on others.
“The first word I would use to describe Shelia is dedication. And just below that, she was fiercely funny. She was certainly soft-spoken, but she could make you burst out loud laughing,” shares Denning. “ In her role, Shelia was not necessarily the ‘main attraction’ that you went looking for, but she was a hidden gem you were glad you found on your journey.”
Rachel Thomas, accountant in accounts payable, had a desk next to Demonbreun when she first began her work at Lipscomb. “I spent my first months wondering about this lady who arrived daily with a smile on her face. When Sheila was not working with a student, she was humming, talking to herself or singing along to the radio she cranked for the entire office,” recalls Thomas. “I quickly learned Sheila Demonbreun was a sweet, life-loving, hardworking lady. She became a dear friend and co-worker. She loved God, family and Lipscomb. She will be dearly missed.”
“Shelia was a hard worker, and she maintained very detailed records. She had a remarkable way of staying calm during collections calls. She listened patiently and kept a consistent tone throughout the call,” says Misty Newby, senior accountant/technology. “One of our former cashiers recently shared that on busy days, Shelia volunteered to help close out the business day so the cashier would not have to work late. We were also blessed by Shelia's sense of humor, and occasionally, Shelia sang a fun version of ‘Happy Birthday’ on a coworker's special day.”
"Shelia was a wonderful, dedicated employee. She kept us entertained by sharing her adventures with us. She dealt with past due accounts with calmness and grace, but never gave up until she worked out a payment plan with the student. Some plans were so many years that she always told me we would never live to see the last payment, but I never dreamed it would be so soon," says Cathy Freeman, bursar. "She will live on in our hearts and memories."
Demonbreun is survived by her husband of 43 years, Paul Demonbreun; daughter, Amy Demonbreun; son, Scott Demonbreun; daughter, Melanie Dunn (Corey); grandchildren, Savannah Goad and Ryan Dunn; and her mother, Mildred Stokes.
Visitation with the family will take place Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 4-8 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 10-11 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m. all at Bellevue Church of Christ, 7401 Hwy 70 South in Nashville.
Expression of sympathy may take the form of flowers or donations to Alive Hospice of Nashville. (1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203)