Elmer Sheffield
Byron Elmer Sheffield Jr.
19 Nov 1938 - 18 Feb 2025
Clubs & Associations
Biography
One of the top recording artists in the country, Elmer is also a fixture on the national calling circuit, working out of his home base of Tallahassee, Florida. Some of his hit records, released through his company ESP Records, include such best-sellers as "Just Because" and "Swanee." A member of Callerlab's Board of Directors, Elmer joined his associate Paul Marcum to become the first nationally-known callers to perform at a gay convention, delighting the attendees at both Seattle in 1984 and Denver in 1985.[1]
Quick Facts
Media Features
Obituary
Byron Elmer Sheffield, Jr., 86, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away February 18, 2025, after a long and lengthy battle with cancer.
Elmer was born November 19, 1938, in Damascus, Georgia, and shortly after moved to Tallahassee, Florida with his family.
Elmer attended Florida High School, where he played baseball, football and marched in the band. After graduation, he attended FSU and worked at his father's auto repair shop. In March 1959, he realized what he wanted out of life was to marry his childhood sweetheart, Margie Lolley. They remained married until her death in April 2024. Elmer was a member of the Lake Bradford Baptist Church.
Elmer loved sports, which included water skiing, racing speed boats, driving go carts and building and racing drag cars. In 2022, he was inducted into the Southeastern Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
In 1968, Elmer started his career as a square dance caller, and within a few years, he was calling all over the world. He was invited by a major music producer, Red Boots Recording, to record "Good Morning Country Rain", which started his music career. In 1968, he launched his own recording studio, known as Elmer Sheffield Productions (ESP). In 1968, he also became the caller for the Capital Twirlers and continued calling until December 2022. In 1972, Elmer took over Sheffield Auto & Truck Body Shop and continued to own it until November 2021. He served as Chairman of Caller Lab from 2011-2012. Elmer loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Elmer is survived by his brother, Retired Circuit Judge Frank Sheffield (Jan), his sister Linda Jones, his sister-in-law Kay Oswalt, his granddaughters, Natalie Batt (Justin}, Lindsay Sheffield, Allie Sheffield, his grandsons, Byron Elmer Sheffield IV (Christina}, James Hayes, and his great granddaughters Madelyn Batt, Olivia Sheffield, and his great grandson Mason Batt. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Lisa Sheffield and his son-in-law, and best friend and caregiver, Frank Hayes.
Elmer was predeceased by the love of his life for 65 years, Margie Sheffield, his son Byron Sheffield Ill, his daughter Susan Hayes, his mother Essie Sheffield and his father Byron Sheffield Sr., his brother Donald W. Sheffield, his grandmothers Pearl West, Mattie Sheffield, and grandfathers, Robert West and Giley Sheffield. Elmer will truly be missed by all.[4]
Remembrances
Elmer Sheffield Jr has just passed away. He and Paul Marcum were the featured callers for the first IAGSDC convention in 1984. A recording artist for decades on ESP records, he will forever be known for their recording of "Honky Tonk Queen".
— Bill Eyler
As long as we kept passing him beers, he called until 2:00a.m. the first night of that convention.
— JW Paulson
Elmer called at the first three IAGSDC conventions; we picked him up in a limo for Star Thru the Golden Gate, 1986 in San Francisco. He also called at several Western Star Dancers club dances in those early years. Yellowrocks.
— James Ozanich
He was the Chair of CALLERLAB right before Barry and we knew him mostly through that organization. Barry does use some of his music - always very well produced. He was generally a "good old southern boy" but after his wife had her stroke he did everything for her. She was in a wheelchair for the rest of her life so he learned to cook, do laundry, bathe & dress her, etc. It was amazing to watch.
If you want to hear his most popular song, search for Elvira - it became his signature piece.
— Pam Clasper
Photos
Obituary photo
Videos
Good Morning Country Rain
