Sheila Stewart Doom
July 21, 1939 ~ January 3, 2018
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Dr. Sheila Stewart Doom, 78, of Arden, NC moved on from this earth to her eternal home, trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for her salvation, Wednesday, January 3rd, at 6:40 PM at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC after fighting heart failure for ten preceding weeks.
During her 78 years she was a missionary, a History and English school teacher, an author, a pastor's wife, a ghost writer, a bookstore proprietor, a traveling public speaker and a counselor and mentor to thousands of young people around the world. Sheila was born in 1939 in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, England. Her mother, Ruth Mahan Stewart (Fajfr) of Birmingham, Alabama, and father, James Alexander Stewart of Glasgow, Scotland, were prolific authors, missionaries and public speakers in their own right. After the Second World War and James' stint in the British Foreign Service, Sheila's parents moved to Asheville because the mountains reminded James of his beloved Scotland. From then on it would be a place she would always consider home and repeatedly return to with great anticipation, her eyes scanning for Mt. Pisgah as soon as she was in range of it.
After graduating from Lee Edwards High School, in Asheville, NC, Sheila attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC and later graduated from there with honors. It was there she met her future husband and fellow missionary Robert (Bob) Ray Doom. They were married in 1963 and spent the next 12 years as missionaries in Scotland. In 1975 they left the Baptist church plant, home and Christian bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved back to Asheville, NC where Bob would assume the leadership of three ministries for his ailing father-in-law.
Over the next 42 years Sheila traveled with her husband to countless countries and states ministering especially to women and young people. She ran their bookshop, the Christian Bookshop, on Haywood Road for over 30 years. She taught high school English and History at Faith Christian School in Hendersonville, NC. She authored two books and was a ghost writer for two other books and later received an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Georgia Baptist College. During the summers she taught at Christian youth camps and through the years maintained correspondence with scores of young people seeking advice and direction in their lives. She had just celebrated her 54th wedding anniversary two weeks before her death. Her hobbies were taking long brisk walks (particularly up Mt. Pisgah!), reading, playing with her grandchildren, and maintaining a healthy correspondence of handwritten letters and cards and E-mails and texts to her friends and family all over the world. She was known as a sweet, kind woman who declined gossip and meanness. She was godly, patient, kind, cheerful and relentlessly optimistic. She had a heart full of love and spent hours each day in prayer for the world. She lived each day with joy and the expectation of a heaven to come.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Ray Doom. She also left behind her oldest daughter Susan Doom Jerby and spouse Brian Jerby, oldest son Robert McCheyne Doom and spouse Annette Jones Doom, youngest son James Stewart Doom and spouse Sara House Doom, and youngest daughter Jana Doom Rono and spouse Bernard Rono. Sheila had thirteen grandchildren who were a constant joy to her. They are Alexandra Jerby, Jonathan Jerby, Evangelia Jerby, Jessica Jerby, Micayla Doom, Heather Jerby, McCheyne Doom, Gracie Jerby, Eryn Jerby, Haddon Jerby, Nathaniel Jerby, Samuel Jerby and Ruby Rono. She was survived by her sister, Sharon Stewart Wilkerson, and her spouse Benny Wilkerson. She was pre-deceased by her brother, James Stewart of Birmingham, England. Her mother Ruth remarried later in life to Vladimir Fajfr of the Czech Republic, and Sheila considered her step brothers and step sister, Daniel, Mark, and Jana Fajfr, to be her siblings. She is survived by them and their spouses and children as well.
She was a faithful member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Arden, NC for 37 years, pastored by Lenny Rogers. The viewing will take place at Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Road, Asheville, NC, Saturday, January 6th, at 1:00 PM, followed by the funeral at 2:00. All arrangements will be undertaken by Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. In lieu of flowers donation gifts can be sent to Global Baptist Missions, PO Box 6068, Asheville, NC 28816 for a building, housing a Baptist church and education facilities, in Cairo, Egypt, where she was scheduled to speak before the onset of her heart failure. She requested that her funeral be a joyous celebration instead of a solemn affair.
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Bob and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your wife and mother. Sheila was a very warm, sweet woman. You and Sheila were so kind to take care of Betty W after Elise died. She will be missed and remembered for a long time.
Betty Huff
Having met her daughter Jana has given me a glimpse of the wonderful family she was born into. This magnificent obituary confirms the feeling of warmth, faith, charity and caring Doctor Doom imparted on her family. My greatest regret is not having met her personally. Prayers from my heart rise to Heaven for the consolation of her family.
Dear Brother Bob and family, we heard the news today that your beautiful wife and for your adult kids that your Mom was promoted to glory. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We rejoice in that she finished her work here and now goes to eternal rest with her Lord. We have so many good memories of the Doom’s and all that took place more than 33 years ago. We have been here in Indiana since 1984, but the days starting Grace Fellowship were sweet and an interesting time in all our lives. We thank you for the good memories and Sheila was a very special person and so full of grace and was herself gracious. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints. ‘ with love and fond memories, Jim and Rose Gapinski
Brother Doom, and family, on behalf of my family(The Boutruss) and Middle East Baptist College and Seminary, we are sorry for your loss. Sister Shelia was a blessing to everyone who met her. We never forget her love to the Lord and people. Many of the women in the Baptist Church in Egypt touched by her ministry. I never forget the time when my wife Lois Boutrus and myself visited Brother Bob and Shelia and went for lunch at Ashville sharing thoughs about ministry. We belive she is enjoying the Lord, not only that but God is preparing a good reward for you both. Again my Family and Middle East Baptist College and Seminary staff and students are praying that the Holy Spirit comfort all the hearts.
Sister Doom was and IS a model of Christian womanhood. All who knew and loved her will greatly miss her sweet Chirst-like spirit. There was always a sense of great joy in her presence. We thank the Lord for the time He gave her on this earth and the impact that she had upon so many for the glory of God. We know she is in the arms of her Savior and we rejoice for it. We send our prayers and love to Bro. Doom and the family as we know hearts are heavy at this time. We love you all and await the day we will see her again! (I Corinthians 2:9)
Dear Brother Doom. May the Lord give grace to you and your family, as you sorrow, ‘but not as others who are without hope’ Thousands of families have benefited from you and Sheila, and I testify to being one of those. I am thankful for the providence of God which brought us together, and pray that the comfort of your Father, would be granted to all of you, until we are all before the throne of His glory.
Sister Sheila will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a precious saint of the Lord. It was always a blessing to be with Brother Doom and her in meetings. She brightened the room wherever she was with the joy of the Lord
Dear Brother Doom and family, We are praying that the Lord will give you all great comfort in this hard time.Just know that we weep with you but our hearts also rejoice that Sister Sheila is now in the presents of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Sister Sheila was so sweet and kind to my wife and I. We still read and cherish a book she gave us Morning and Evenings by C.H. Spergeon. What little time I was able spent with her and she still wonderfully impacted my life.I can only imagine the many lifes she impacted and pointed to Christ throughout her course. Love you all, praying. II Tim. 4:7-8
Brother Doom, and family I’m so sorry for your loss, Shelia was such a sweet and pleasant person. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. It has always been a pleasure knowing you all through the years and I have always had the upmost faith and respect for the life you live and the work that you all have given your life for. God is the great rewarded and I know God has reserved many for you both.
Robby and family – I am so sorry for your loss. God be with you.
I never read an obituary more truthful! This lady was a prime example of a Godly lady whom stayed young at heart with the Joy of the Lord always abounding! She will be missed but, I can only imagine what a time she is having right now meeting the One she lived for!
Brother Doom, and family We are very sorry to hear about the loss of our sister Sheila.
However, we are looking forward to seeing her again in the place the Lord prepared for her in His presence.
Until then, we shall remember her gentle spirit while ministering to us as she was visiting her mother Ruth in our fellowship in Zilina Slovakia.
Michal and Alina Toth, Europe, Slovakia
Brother Doom and family; I was sorry to hear of the death of your lovely wife Sheila. I remember all of you through the years. Dr James Stewart and his dear wife Ruth was friends with my minister Ralph Sexton Sr for so many years and I heard Dr Stewart many many times in my life. I remember when all of you came to Trinity Baptist Church and spoke of your travels in Scotland and other countries spreading the Gospel of our Lord. I know you will miss her for all time but we all know that she is in heaven with the Lord and just waiting for us to join her. God will give you the grace to get through this. Sister in Christ Victoria Austin Jennings
Dear Bob and Family, Our deepest sympathies extend to you. You and Shelia were our close friends and feel like family. We will always be grateful for your friendship and love for the ministry. The times we got to spend with you were precious. We will miss Shelia but her reward will be great in heaven. ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.’
I rejoice my dear sister is with her beloved Savior, but also mourn the loss of those she left behind. Our prayers for your loss go forth and will in the coming days. I will cherish memories of sweet friendship and fellowship forever.
Brother Dooms, I am so thankful for the example and blessing your dear wife had been to our family. I know this time of separation is going to be hard but rest assured it will be short and then we will rejoice along with our wives as they enjoy being in the presence of our Blessed Lord.
Mr. Doom and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss, but we are rejoicing for Mrs. Doom’s homegoing! She was an absolute angel to my wife and me. We loved the Christian Bookshop and recommended it to all of our friends and family. When the shop moved to Candler, we were especially excited since we live in Haywood County. Mrs. Doom was a fine Chritian lady who wrote her obituary through the life she lived. She was honest, fair, and always willing to help us find anything we were searching for. I’d take 1000 ‘bookshops’ over a single aisle of a Barnes and Noble. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. May God wrap His comforting arms around you during this time. God Bless.
HI Susan,
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.
LOve and prayers for your family.
Sheila encouraged me with unfailingly positive methods. She lifted the spirits of all she met and many she didn’t.
My family gives you our deepest condolences. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. Mrs. Doom taught both my sister Megan and I. She was a wonderful teacher and friend and we will miss her.
Brother Bob and family please accept our condolences in the loss of Sheila. We appreciate your friendship and Christian fellowship through the,years. You have been an encouragement to us spiritually and the times Sheila rode the van I drove to Faith Christian school were fun. Certainly your loss is great but her reward in Heaven is great, as well.
Much love, Rudy and Ann Morrell
We are so sorry for Shelia’s passing ,but we know she is rejoicing now!
Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
May the lord comfort each of you.
May your memories serve you well.
Gladys M Hill, Doris H. Matkins, Wanda H. Fagge
We were all so sorry to hear the news but thankful for our Blessed Hope and confident of the joy she is experiencing tonight! Praying for you all!
It pains my heart to think of Sheila being gone and yet I can rejoice in the reality that she is in the presence of her Lord. She was a great help to me in my youth as she was to countless others. She was above all else my friend and I praise our God for the time I got to spend with her especially in her final days. God used her in a mighty way as she fought tirelessly on her knees in prayer for the souls of young people. She has made a Godly impact on so many lives and will surly never be forgotten in this life. I can rejoice in knowing that one day I will see my friend again. I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will give the Doom family grace and strength in the coming days. Praise God for Mrs. Sheila Doom.
I hate to hear of her passing. I loved having her as a teacher. Prayers for the family!
Dear Jana and your whole family.
We sincerely send our condolences to everyone and we pray that the memories and legacy of your mom will warm your hearts each time you think of her. We are with you in prayers.
What a Beautiful, sweet soul Miss Sheila!! A mentor and kind ear to soo many! She will be greatly missed though we all know she is rejoicing now with our Lord and wether we understand it or not,His timing is always the right time! Josh and I’s Condolences to all the family as the missing of a wife,mother,sister,grandmother, aunt, and friend part is just hard!! A hug from Michigan
Bob, we got to know you and Sheila at the Christian Book Shop. Sheila exemplified her Christian walk. She was truly a blessing to us. You and all her family are in our prayers.
Bro. Bob and family, you’re in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Sheila will always be remember as a Godly, compassionate and inspirational lady. A true friend indeed!!
Dear Brother Bob-
Debbie and I send our sincere condolences. I will continue to uphold you and the family members in prayer that especially in this time of grief and loss you will know the presence of the Holy Spirit as the balm of Gilead bringing peace to your spiritual heart and comfort in your physical grief.
My wife spoke well of the recent guest speaker engagement Sheila undertook at Southside Baptist in Winter Haven, FL. You both are loved and appreciated by the pastor and church members. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and all family members.
Bro Bob, where do we begin. Another Saint has been called home. Knowing she is rejoicing with her Heavenly Father and her loved ones that have gone on before. She was such a blessing to us and so many others. I know you and your entire family will miss her greatly. May God wrap each of you in His loving embrace and give you grace and comfort during this sorrowful time. We so wish we would have been able to come. But know that you are each in our prayers. With love,
Dear Bro Bob, Words cannot express my sorrow but knowing that she is with her Heavenly Father and that we will meet again someday is a great comfort. Her life was such a testimony to me and others. Know that I will continue to pray for you and your entire family today and the days to come. With love,
Dear Brother Bob Doom,
I met you a couple of times at Peachtree Baptist Church in Senoia. Yes! Your good friend and brother Dr. David Dickerson is my Pastor.
I am starting to read the book that I received from you, “James Stewart Missionary “.
I read the preface by Ruth Stewart, from there I went online and spotted the obituary on your dear wife. After reading her obituary the first thought that came to my mind was
“what a godly woman “! Hang in there my dear brother – we will all be home SOON ENOUGH!
Your fellow ambassador of reconciliation,
Rick Buffington
Peachtree City area GA USA
Loved this lady dearly. What a joy to have known her. Never have been the same after spending time with here . She brought out the love of God in a person. I miss her .