Rev. David Joseph Sheehan

12/16/2020

When David Joseph Sheehan was first diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, he said, "Even if I forget God, God will not forget me." Dave had struggled mightily against the effects of Covid-19 since contracting the disease last month. He died peacefully on the morning of December 16, 2020, with his wife and children at his side. 

Dave was born on November 25, 1946, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and Odenton, Maryland, in a staunchly Irish-American Roman Catholic family.  

Following the family tradition, he entered the military after high school. A veteran of the United States Navy, his first assignment was in communications in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. Dave ended his military career as a Religious Program Officer at the Chief of Chaplains Office in the Pentagon.  

For 20 years, Dave was a deacon and later an elder in the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Once, when he was asked why he preached so strongly from the Bible, he replied, "Because I believe this stuff." Dave was honored to serve as pastor of the charges of Kilbourne/Locust Grove, St. Joseph/Wesley/Waterproof, Columbia/Hebert, Jackson/Ethel, Lakeview (Minden), and Haynesville/Shongaloo. He left pieces of his heart and probably some forgotten housewares in each charge.  

Dave was a graduate of Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, and Luther Rice College in Alexandria, Virginia. He began his pastoral studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and completed the Master of Divinity at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Franklin Smith Sheehan and Eleanor Marguerite Duane Sheehan: his older brother Robert Duane Sheehan; and his mother in Christ, Mrs. Nellie McBee.  

Dave is survived by his loving wife Sylvia (Lyn) Covington Sheehan; children, Nathaniel Ross Sheehan and Erin Lynette Sheehan; sister, Patricia Sheehan Greene and Willie Greene; and nieces, Laura, Wendy, April, and Megan.  

The family suggests sending memorial contributions to:  

• Kairos Prison Ministry of Louisiana at 22417 Level Street, Abita Springs, LA 70420. Dave volunteered in both Kairos Inside, ministering to incarcerated individuals, and Kairos Outside, ministering to their families.  

• The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1207 17th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. Dave always stressed the importance of working toward better care as well as seeking a cure for this heartbreaking disease.  

Due to the pandemic, the family has decided against holding a service. They ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.