Shelia Yvonne Meekins passed away on September 9, 2025. She was able to share a very special moment with her oldest nephew Jerrone “Jerry” Meekins, Jr. two days before her death. Her sister-in-law Donna Marie Douglas-Watson was also by her side.
Shelia was born in Williamsburg, VA to John and Lorraine Meekins on April 5, 1956. She moved to Harlem, New York at age 3 with her family and eventually moved to Long Branch, NJ. Shelia attended the public schools in Long Branch. One of her favorite subjects was history. Her family came from the place called Chickahominy (Native Americans). Shelia was the Historian of her family. She believed that it was very important to know about your history. Shelia would take her children and grandchildren to Virginia so that they would know where their family came from. Shelia educated her family on their family roots. To Shelia, Chickahominy represented a place of refuge, nature, and a place of peace. She always wanted to go back home to Virginia because of the place that represented the roots of her family.
Shelia enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. When they were little, she would always rescue them by picking them up and taking them to the boardwalk, out to eat, and dressing up as Santa Clause during the holidays. There was never a dull moment when “Aunt She-She” was around.
Shelia had the biggest smile ever! She would greet you with open arms as her mother would. But if you ever crossed her, she would definitely tell you about yourself. She might have been cute but was no one to play with. One of her favorite stores growing up in Long Branch was JJ Newberry on Broadway.
Over the years, Shelia moved to Eatontown, NJ with her Common-Law-Husband James Gibson and their son John. As time passed and the loss of her parents and James, Shelia’s health began to slowly deteriorate. Life wasn’t the same for her and she held on as long as she could. We will never know the hurt and pain that this woman had to endure to the end. Her relationship with some of her family also changed. No one could imagine what it could be like on their death bed and not being able to mend the ways that were severed. Also, not being able to see her loved ones before her eyes shut for eternity.
Shelia was predeceased by: John Meekins (father), Lorraine Meekins (mother), James Gibson (Common-Law-Husband), and Errol Meekins (nephew).
Shelia leaves behind her Brother: Jerrone Meekins Sr. and wife Vinnetie, Daughter: Myesha Reshon Meekins, Son: John Meekins, Grandchildren: Myesha (Meekins -Cox)-Lambert and husband Charles Lambert, Micaela Meekins, My ‘Jhon Meekins, Great grandchildren: Myla Meekins, Miracle Meekins and Noah Meekins, Nephews and Nieces: Jerrone Meekins Jr., Marcia Meekins, Eric Meekins, Alan Meekins, Leah Meekins-Brown, Ivory Meekins, Shaqueya D. Mitchell and Aaran Meekins. Also, dear friend Gloria Richardson-Ferrell, other family members and friends.
Shelia Yvonne Meekins, you will be missed by those who spent time with you and loved you to the end!
