RIP Steve
Stephen Russell Sides, 66, of Salisbury, MD died on Mon. Sept. 5, 2022 at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional. Born in Martinsville, VA, on December 4, 1955, he was the only child of the late Edith Davis Sides & the late Charles "Chuck" David Sides.
He married the love of his life, Joyce Groton Sides on June 28, 1986. They were married for 36 years. Steve & Joyce were often heard saying that they were each other's soulmate.
He graduated from Martinsville High School in Martinsville, VA in 1974, Patrick Henry Community College in 1976, and James Madison University with a degree in History & Education in 1978. He taught many subjects over the years, but mostly history & civics. He taught at Broadway Academy, Osburn Park High School, Chincoteague High School in Chincoteague, VA, which is where he met Joyce, who had been teaching Spanish & French, right across the hall from him. He also taught at Crisfield High School, Washington High School for many years, & retired from Greenwood Middle School in Princess Anne, in 2003. He was also an assistant football and track & field coach at each of the high schools where he taught (except for Crisfield). After retiring from teaching, he began a second career as a corrections officer at the Wicomico County Detention Center in Salisbury. He retired from there in 2018, due to his health. He loved being retired. He just wished he could've been healthier in order to enjoy it more.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his maternal aunt, Elizabeth Davis Oakley, in 1982, & by his paternal uncle, Harold Sides, in 2001, and by his mother-in-law, Helen S. Groton, in 1997. He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Groton Sides, his special cousin Katherine O. Earles of Martinsville. (He and Katherine grew up in the same home & were only 9 months apart in age). He is also survived by 2 other cousins, Connie Sides Birse (Gordy) & their family, of Renton, WA, & Karen Sides LaRue of Trinity, NC & her family. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Elton W. Groton, & his fiancee, Betty Taylor of Salisbury, his sister-in-law Judy Skrip & her husband Gary, also of Salisbury, brother-in-law Michael Groton of Milford, DE, & Judy's son Dustin Cogswell of Portland, OR, & many special friends.
Steve generously donated his body to science, in order for students (& science) to learn more about disease, especially about his many health issues over the years, including diabetes, cancer, & heart disease. There will be a Celebration of Life at Salisbury Bible Fellowship in Salisbury on Sun. Sept. 25, 2022, at 3pm. Pastor Tri Evans will officiate. Steve specifically (& respectfully) requested that in-person attendance be for those who have been vaccinated for Covid-19, in order to protect his father-in-law Elton Groton (91), & others who are especially vulnerable. Anyone who cannot attend (for whatever reason) can watch the service via Facebook. (Go to Facebook.com, click on Salisbury Bible Fellowship, & log in. You should be able to watch it at another time as well). Steve also requested that attendees wear comfortable clothes, just as Steve did his whole life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Salisbury Bible Fellowship, 1500 Court Plaza Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801, or to "A Pet for Life", 28215 Log Cabin Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804. "A Pet for Life" is a non-profit rescue for cats & dogs, run by family friend, Pat Long.
Steve wanted to remind everyone to "Cherish every moment that you have with your family/ loved ones. Life is a precious Gift from God". Those were his words. |
