Mr. John Reed Sheats

Mr. John Reed Sheats, age 77, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025 at his home in Winder, Georgia. 

He was a long-time resident of Barrow County and the son of the late James N. (Skinny) Sheats and Doris Hardigree Sheats. He began school at Mathews School in Barrow County where his mother was a teacher. He later attended Winder Elementary School and graduated from Winder- Barrow High School in the Class of 1965. He received degrees in Business and Accounting at the University of Georgia and spent most of his career in the banking business. He worked for several banks over the years and retired from The Peoples Bank in Winder, GA, in 2010. He especially enjoyed his time there and had many friends from his long career in banking. Earlier he also dabbled briefly in other careers, including Sheats Accounting Firm and Beanman Catering. 

Mr. Sheats was a member of Winder First United Methodist Church where he served on various committees over the years and enjoyed helping with Mission Projects especially visiting shut-ins and delivering communion. He delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. He enjoyed playing sports, including tennis, golf, rec basketball, softball, and countless hours of backyard games with his three sons. Mr. Sheats joined a Pickleball League in Athens, Georgia, after retirement and enjoyed that sport. He was a long-time youth soccer coach and was one of the first soccer coaches for the Barrow County Recreation Department. Mr. Sheats coached many young people and made close bonds with lots of them. He loved music and played alto saxophone and bass guitar. After retirement he joined the New Horizons Band composed of mostly retirees, who played for many assisted living homes, churches and community events in the Athens area. Mr. Sheats and his wife, Sue, also were fortunate to have time for several trips to many National Parks and scenic areas of the United States during their retirement. They also traveled to many music festivals where they enjoyed a variety of music. Nashville, Asheville, Savannah and Black Mountain were locations for some of their favorite music venues.

Mr. Sheats had a strong faith in God, which sustained him through his long illness. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed spending time with them. Mr. Sheats is survived by his wife, Sue Hardegree Sheats, his three sons and spouses, Reed and Holly Sheats of Athens, Rory Sheats of Winder, and Griffin Sheats and Betty Kidane of Atlanta. He is also survived by two grandsons, Luke and Tate Sheats of Athens, a granddaughter arriving in December, and cousins and spouses, Scott and Nancy Hardigree, Tom and Kathy Hardigree and Frank and Claire Hardigree Slovenec.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Sheats was preceded in death by his sister, Mary K Sheats and a granddaughter, Sela Mae Sheats.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Maddox-Carter Memorial Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 24, 2025 in the chapel of Maddox-Carter Memorial Home with Reverend Dr Geoff Murphy officiating. Interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. 

Flowers are accepted or if you desire, memorials may be made to Winder First United Methodist Church, 280 N Broad St., Winder, GA 30680, Mission MSA at www.missionmsa.org (Mission MSA, 1660 International Drive, Suite 600, McLean, VA 22102), or a charity of your choice.

Maddox-Carter Memorial Home is entrusted with the arrangements.