Sheila Hope Bashara

Sheila Carraway Bashara, 90, of Destin, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones on December 12, 2025. 

Sheila was born on August 31, 1935, in Washington, North Carolina to Frank and Jamie Carraway. She has a younger sister, Janet.  She graduated from Washington High School in 1953 and began her career as an administrative assistant. Her first marriage produced three children, Shaun, Janine, and Angie. While working at Barksdale Air Force Base, she met and later married John Bashara, her husband of 33 years. 

She graduated “Cum Laud” from Louisiana Tech University and at age 50, Sheila courageously reinvented herself professionally by enrolling in the FBI Academy where she graduated at the top of her class. Her law enforcement career began in New Orleans, LA, where she worked as a Drug Enforcement Diversion Investigator. The courts granted her “expert” status as a handwriting analyst. 

A smart, funny, and multi-talented woman, Sheila enjoyed many hobbies including oil painting, karate, sewing, crossword puzzles, traveling, crafts, antiquing, cooking, and home decor. She and John retired to Destin, FL and had a long and loving marriage full of fun and travel. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Angie Bryant. 

She is survived by her husband, John Bashara; son, Shaun; sister, Janet Gunther; granddaughter, Michele Flynn and her husband, Bobby; stepchildren, Tom and Teri Bashara, Mary Bashara, Joe Bashara, and Katie Tucker; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held beginning at 1230pm at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road Northeast, Fort Walton Beach. FL. She will be laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity, church or organization of your choice, or do something nice for someone when least expected.  A special thank-you to the ICU staff at HCA Ft. Walton-Destin Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion.  

She was a “Good Ol Girl.”