Jocelyn K. Sheets

Jocelyn Kay Sheets, age 64, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Linwood, KS, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022 at her residence.

She was born on November 24, 1957 to Dean and Juanita (Portwood) Sheets in Kansas City, KS.

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 Ks 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.

Jocelyn started with the Newton Daily News in 2013 and worked tirelessly to share the stories of local athletes until her departure in 2020. She was an award winning journalist having been recognized for her work by the Iowa Newspaper Association for the writing and photography skills.

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

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

Condolences may be sent to her sister, Stephanie McDonald  PO Box 214  Richmond, KS 66080.  Stories of influence can be emailed to smsmcdonald@yahoo.com prior to the service.

Cremation rites will be accorded. There will be a Purple Celebration of Life for Jocelyn from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at the First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd, in Iola, Kansas.