Shelia is a veteran of the Vietnam War. She served as a clarinetist in the WAC Band from 1963-1968. After that, she attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama, Delta College in Saginaw, Michigan, and graduated with honors from SVSU (Saginaw Valley State University) with a BA in English and Music Ed in 1976. She is a retired teacher and taught primarily in private schools in both Michigan and Florida. She owned and conducted Summit Swing Orchestra in Largo, FL, and now spends her free time volunteering for various civic organizations in and around Tampa, FL, where she now resides. Shelia has one son, who is presently studying law on a full scholarship at Stetson University in Gulfport, FL.