Linda Carole Sheets, Girl Genius, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 1, 1955, to a plumber and a nurse, Wayne and Carole Sheets. She died of cancer on December 3, 2018, surrounded by her family of friends at Willard Walker Hospice Home, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Linda has been creating art of one kind or another for most of her life. The first of her family to attend college, she quit art school after two years to become a plumber. She was the first woman in NE Indiana to break into the plumbers’ union. This led to a twenty-five year career as a contractor/plumber and handygal, with her very successful company in Austin called Two Gals Fixin’. Her biggest project was building a very fine house from the slab up for her best friend.
Linda was a lesbian and a feminist, and that informed her life, her art, and her work. As she often said, “I’m a big proud dyke, and I don’t care who knows it.”
Fifteen years ago she retired from Two Gals Fixin’ to return to her first love, making art. She licensed six of her designs to Ampersand for use in their beginner scratchboard kits. Five years ago she created two illustrated books of rescued animals and their stories, her proudest achievements: Dog Scratchin’ and Cat Scratchin’. Her editor and teacher on these books was poet Miller Williams. Later on, she sorted Williams’ archives and deposited his papers at Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin. It was a great honor and an unforgettable experience.
Linda was also a talented musician and singer/songwriter, producing her music under the label Hot Sheets Music.
She leaves behind her 106 year old grandmother, who loved her and raised her, and a group of friends who became her family. Her siblings, three brothers and three sisters, are not worth a bucket of spit.
Her most recent project, still in development, was an illustrated children’s book with her adopted Ethiopian niece as inspiration for the main character.
Linda’s work can be found in galleries and private collections around the world. In Fayetteville, her work can be seen at Art Ventures Gallery, 101 West Mountain Street and online at www.blue-eyedponystudio.com
Linda wishes to thank Highlands Oncology and Washington Regional Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion.
Memorial services are pending at Art Ventures Gallery in Fayetteville.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
My deepest sympathies to those who loved Linda. Linda always gave with her heart to Youth Bridge each time we held a Starry Starry Night Art Fundraiser. Her pieces were always the best and highly sought after. I am so honored to have known this sweet and talented person❤️
What a force to be reckoned with. Sadly I must report that I did not know her but I must add that I sure wish I did. Rest In Power. We need more like you.
I was a year younger than Linda I went to school with her brother Doug. But I did start playing the guitar and I remember sitting down and learning some songs from Linda the first song I Learned was The House of the Rising Sun she was pretty good she used to play at munchie emporiums at Broadway and Taylor.
Much love to her family and friends. We will miss her here in Austin
Linda, Iv’e known you for what seems like 100 years. We ran in the same cirlces in Fort Wayne and I followed your music career starting at the Blue Moom Coffee House, And Munchies. We drank a lot of beer and toked some too. May your spirit fly to the highest place and beyond. I still have your old publicity picture on my wall.
I am heart broken to see of Mayor Sheets passing. She was a good old friend. So sad for all that knew her.
Sheriff PO, Linda it was my sad honor to take care of the Mayor and be with her in her last months of life. She was Linda Sheets to the end. Brave, funny, kind, and feisty no BS.. We had lots of sweet times together. I will miss the shit out of her.
I didn’t know Ms Sheets, but from one Linda to another, she jus have been a heck of a gal!!
To a hell of a broad and a hell of a ride….
XXX
J
Dear C & J: Thank you for the honor of meeting Linda before she entered the hospice center. She was a fine resident of her hospital bed. I had no idea she was as accomplished an artist as I later found out her to be. I enjoyed her stories of plumbing and building a house from the ground up. One particular story about moving a staircase to a superior location was as fine a feminist story as I have had the privilege to hear. As a woman who was a trained plumber and housebuilder, she impressed the hell out of me. Eating dinner around her bed on wheels made death seem just another chapter of life. And for that, I thank you. 🙂 cab
One of a kind! The world will miss your art, your strength, your personality! So will we. ( Harriet and Monica)
Don’t know why the Best of the Best have to leave us so young, Had a lot of great laughs with Linda. She was the backbone sound engineer of day stage performances for the National Women’s Music Festival. I am honored that she allowed me to be her plumbing assistant when she re-plumbed my whole house with copper. True to the bone, rock steady, hard worker, sexy singing voice and gentle spirit is Linda Sheets, so glad our paths crossed.
I am shocked and sadden to learn of my older sister’s Linda’s death.Even more sadden to read the comment left of leaving behind three brother’s and three sister’s left behind.. that we are not worth a “Bucket of Spit”.Wow..that is sad for the her family of friends that didn’t know us and only knew of what she said about her family in Indiana?Linda and I hadn’t spoken in some time on both our parts..mostly after our parents died.Because,of family dynamics and things that are personal.I am going to clarify that Linda was never raised by our now 107 yr old grandmother.She was raised by both our parents until their divorce when she was fourteen.Then by our single mother that loved her very much.Both our parents loved Linda and supported her love for art and music.Our grandmother was the only one she would talk to these past few years.Our younger half sister’s have never said or done anything to deserve to be cut out of her life!In fact our sister Faith was the last to speak to her in April.Last she knew Linda was having back pain and getting it checked out.Faith sent her a nice text but never heard back?My sister would of reached back out to Linda..But,Faith’s husband had got diagnosed with a form of cancer.She has been dealing with that and as our other sister Hope has been the caregiver to her husband dying of brain cancer.Cancer has been a evil menace in our family.Our brother Jeff passed away in September 2017.I am a breast cancer survivor myself..Her family that is here in her hometown and state..we are not terrible people!All family’s have issues and problems.I have always loved my sister maybe at times I haven’t liked her or the hurt she put on us as a family.I put hurt on her as well it always goes both ways! Had I known she was diagnosed with cancer or in pain.I would of called or got a plane and flown to visit her..only if she’d would let me.I feel guilty about my hurt from the past from our family dysfunction.I have asked God to forgive my stubborn nature.Linda was stubborn as well..because that is a Sheets trait! I was proud of Linda’s talents in art and music! I have a box of her albums from her Hott Sheets band from years ago.She was going to throw them out and I wouldn’t let her but saved them! I remember her singing days when I was younger at Bluehouse coffee shop and Munchie Epourium.My favorite song she sang was Blackbird.She loved the Beatles and I grew up listening to what she liked.Such as the Beatles..Janis Joplin..Carole King. Our mother had a beautiful voice and they sometimes sang together.When Linda came out that she was a lesbian..from what I remember at about 19 or 20 yrs?It was hard on our Mother to believe..she thought it was some faze..lol.as if? She came around and started to try and be supportive.Our Father was quicker to understand.Linda was close to both our parents.Then at times over the years they had differences. Our mother never stopped trying to keep in touch with Linda.Even when Linda moved to Texas and Arkansas. When our Mother was in the hospital for heart surgery Nov.2009.I called Linda almost everyday to give her updates! Our sweet mother died two weeks later and two weeks after her 77th birthday. Linda never came to visit her in the hospital or to her funeral! So,that is where my hurt really came from her and I not talking! Our grandmother that she so fondly remembers..my sister Faith has been looking out for her..as myself and another sister and brother.We have been dealing with her health issues and drama for the past 9 years after my mother passed.So,I just want the people of Arkansas and Linda’s friends and art world.Know that Linda has brothers and sisters and other family in Indiana..that did care and love her and will miss her! Linda,I am sure planned out everything as her time on earth was ending.As it seems this obituary..as touching as it is for the special and talented person she was.Speaking as being referred to not worth a bucket of spit! I know my worth in life and in God..our parents and brother would be sadden by her last remark of us siblings! Just so Linda’s friends and people that liked..loved her and her Art!There is family of hers grieving and hurting as well! Three days after her death..my sweet sister Hope lost her husband to brain cancer.So,please people of Arkansas have some understanding and a open mind and heart for the family Linda left behind!May Linda find her Heaven and Peace now!💔
I wish Linda would of opened up to me more, she had her way of life , but that’s not how I remember her. I remember the good things, and always cared for her ; my only wish is that God will have mercy, Christ will have mercy; I on other hand will forgive her. Please who is ever responsible for her left family things, return them to us. Greg Sheets , gwsheets1hdjd@aim.com
I had the pleasure of working with Linda when she worked for the then Fine Arts Foundation. She was a wonderfully creative technical director, and designed a number of shows for me as the director of the Youtheatre. Always a spirited and enthusiastic approach to her work and her life. I know she will be missed.
My best friend and partner in crime for 48 years and I miss her more than I can say.
I just found out about Linda’s passing. My family moved on Leesburg Rd. a few houses down from Hers in June,1969. My Brother soon became friends with Doug. Linda & I were almost the same age so we became close friends soon after meeting. We both played guitar & started a group calling ourselves “Friction” in the spring of ’70. Our favorite song to play was “Sea of joy” by Blind Faith. We were both BIG Beatle fans. We also enjoyed hitchhiking & spent most of the spring & summer of 1970 thumbing all over Ft. Wayne. We confided in each other a lot & I don’t ever remember Her having an unhappy home life, she seemed to be a pretty happy girl. After moving out of Ft. Wayne in 1971 I only saw Her a few times afterwards & always wondered how She was doing. I knew Linda was a talented artist because She had drawn several things to give to me. I only have one left & wish I still had them all. She was a sweet girl & a great friend to have. My prayers to her family & friends. RIP Linda