Dean Erwin Sherrill

Dean Erwin Sherrill, 94, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 7, 2015, from the Center on Aging and Health, Erwin, Tennessee. She was born February 3, 1921, to the late Robert Henry Erwin and Verna Garland Erwin. Dean lived most of her life in Erwin, where she met and married the late Freeman Henry Sherrill. They raised three daughters. During her lifetime she also lived in several cities, including Miami, Florida. Her life work included being a welder in the pre-World War II shipbuilding industry, a pottery worker, a school cafeteria worker, and a garment worker at Work Wear where she retired. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith. In addition to her work life, Dean was a devoted mother and grandmother giving freely of her time to her family. Her family share many memories of how she supported them in their school and sports endeavors. She was a skilled seamstress who made many items of clothing for the family and also a talented handcrafter, making blankets, afghans, baby items, and keepsakes that will be forever cherished. A tireless worker, she was never so happy as when she was useful to others. Two legacies that she left behind were her love of music and her sense of humor. A song was ever on her lips. In her young adult life, she sang soprano in a gospel group, The Ladies Homeland Quartet, who also sang on the radio out of Elizabethton. Whether she was singing in the kitchen, the church choir, or in the nursing home later in life, her joy in song was apparent to everyone. A love of music has been passed to her entire family. Her sense of humor was extraordinary. Not only did she brighten the places that she worked, but she also lifted the spirits of the workers who cared for her at Center on Aging and Health. Her grandchildren cherish their many “grannyisms” that taught them to live, love, and laugh In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Barney McCoy Erwin, and her daughter, Eleanor Elaine Rockwell. Left behind to cherish her memories: daughters, Karen Sherrill Guinn of Johnson City and Marsha Sherrill Brown (Richard) of Germantown, TN and son, Anthony Manso Sherrill; Grandchildren, Yvette Pierce, Jemison, ALA, John Erwin (Leigh Ann). Helena, ALA, Kaleb Brown (Angie), Memphis, TN, Jacob Guinn, Nashville, TN, Aaron Brown, Memphis, TN, Allison Guinn, Long Island City, NY, Ross Guinn(Jessie), Johnson City, TNThe family will receive friends at Valley Funeral Home, Erwin, TN, beginning at 11:30 AM, on Monday, March 9, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon. The Reverend Stan Webster will officiate. A Committal Service will follow in the Mausoleum Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin.at Evergreen Cemetery, Erwin.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the music program of Erwin Presbyterian Church, 105 North Elm Ave., Erwin, TN 37650. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family through our website at www.valleyfuneralhome.net.These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Dean Erwin Sherrill through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, TN, 423-743-9187.Read Obituary