Shelia Russell Vermeulen, age 61, of Birmingham, Michigan, passed away peacefully on
May 2, 2026, at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, following a
difficult three-year battle with cancer. She was a remarkable fighter who never stopped
pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey became.

Shelia was born on January 18, 1965, in Union City, Tennessee, sharing the same
birthday as her maternal grandmother, the late Ada (Ishmael) Cole Ross.

She was a graduate of Obion County Central High School in Troy, Tennessee, and
attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. For many years, prior to relocating to
Michigan in 1993, she enjoyed a successful career in salon and personal beauty services
in Memphis, Tennessee.

Shelia was a beautiful soul, inside and out, and she always tried to enjoy life as fully as
possible. She was completely uninhibited and willing to take risks. From childhood
onward, she often suffered injuries from "giving it her all," whether playing softball,
riding bicycles, or whatever adventure she happened to be pursuing at the time.

As an adult, she continued living life fearlessly — becoming a pilot, skydiving with her
dear friend Robin in July 2021, and successfully managing her Birmingham business,
Desperate Fur Babies. Her love for animals was unmistakable and wholehearted. At her
home, she could feed squirrels from her hand without training them, and she
overwhelmingly loved dogs.

Shelia was also the undying champion of the "underdog," the downtrodden, and anyone
in need. Whenever possible, she would go out of her way to help others. She believed
deeply in God, and whenever she felt that God had placed something on her heart, she
felt compelled to follow it. Otherwise, she did everything "her way" and "full steam
ahead," without hesitation.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth "Libby" Vermeulen of Pleasant Ridge,
Michigan, whom she dearly loved; her brother, Darrell Russell of Inlet Beach, Florida;
her aunts, Sue Palmer and Bonita Cole, both of Memphis, Tennessee; and many cousins.
She is also survived by two stepsons, Brian and Adam Vermeulen, both of Michigan.
Also left behind are her two beloved dogs, Timmy and George.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William "Bill" and Sarah Russell of Union
City, Tennessee, and her grandparents, Columbus Cole and Ada (Cole) Ross, and Charles
and Mary Emma Russell.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Special thanks to her physicians and medical staff at Beaumont Hospital; her devoted
caregivers, Tina, Jaci, Missy, and Paula; Shari for lovingly caring for her dogs; Elena, her
family, and Tricey for their excellent care at Greencastle Family Care; her many friends;
and the loyal clients of Desperate Fur Babies.

1    There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2      a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
4      a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
6      a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
12  I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they
live.  13  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift
of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, 4, 6, 12-13 NIV

Shelia liked the words made famous in the song "My Way"
lived a life that was full
I've traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way"
"Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way"
*English lyrics by Paul Anka
Original music by Claude François and Jacques Revaux.

She will be greatly missed, and may she rest in eternal peace.