Sherry Denise Howard Cleveland, 58, passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at the Bacon County Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Sherry spent her childhood years in Ludowici and was educated in the Wayne County School System. She attended Brewton Parker College and later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern College. Sherry lived in Hartwell, Georgia for about a year before moving to Alma, where she has lived the past thirty-four years. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Alma, Sherry served as the church pianist and Children’s Choir director. She was a generous person who had a true love for children and had worked as an elementary school teacher for fifteen years. In addition to her love of music and the piano, Sherry also enjoyed reading, traveling and spoiling her nieces, nephews and granddaughter. She loved her family, especially her granddaughter, and was the type of person who never forgot a birthday and was always giving to other people. Her daughter, Elizabeth Kate “Katie” Cleveland, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband of thirty-five years, David M. Cleveland; her daughter and son-in-law, Meg and Bubba Thompson and her granddaughter, Asher Kate Thompson all of Alma, GA; her parents, Dennis and Alta Howard of Ludowici, GA, her sister, Lydia H. Golden of Orangeburg, SC and her brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Debbie Howard of Ludowici, GA. Numerous nieces and nephews, all that were much loved, as well as cousins and other relatives also survive.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Ludowici with Reverends Eric Rentz and Travis Cowart officiating. Burial will follow in Baggs Family Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Mack Golden, Eric Howard, Mac McCrea, Jay Graham, Carey Jones and George Stafford.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in memory of Katie Cleveland to CURE at www.curechildhoodcancer.org or by mail at CURE Childhood Cancer, 1117 Perimeter Center W. Suite N-402, Atlanta, GA 30338.
My heart is absolutely broken right now. I am just in shock…. please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers and that Sherry will NEVER be forgotten.
Peace & Love, Jenn Borjeson & family
Although it has been years since I talked with Sherry, her sweet voice and gentle laughter are some of the many memories I have of going to school with her. Anytime one of us in Mrs. Jackson’s first grade class got hurt in any way, you could count on Sherry to be the first to give you a hug and to always tell you “Jesus loves you!” She was a kind and gentle soul her. Even as a child she seemed wise beyond her years.
There are no words that can take away the pain you all feel but knowing she is with God will hopefully help to lessen the enormity of it all. My heartfelt prayers are with everyone. May God bless you all in this time of sorrow.
Dear family, I graduated from high school with Sherry. She always lit up the room with her smile and personality. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in mine and my husbands thoughts and prayers. May God Bless and comfort you during this time.
As others have shared, I am truly in shock from hearing about Sherry. I have such wonderful memories of Sherry. Everyone adored her and she was so much fun to be around. Her calm presence and warm smile always made you feel very welcome.
Know that you and your entire family are in our thoughts.
Much love and prayers,
Denise (Howell) and Alan Parker Macon, Ga.
Family & Friends,
Sherry was a beautiful lady both inside and out. Our hearts go out to you at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless.
We are so sorry for your loss of this Beautiful and Sweet Lady,,,Praying for Peace and Comfort for her family…..
To Friends & Family,
Sherry & I were 2 of the Ludowici crew to graduate the same year from Wayne County High and then go on to Brewton Parker together. I remember her as the kind of person who was friendly to everyone and liked by all. Unfortunately, I have not seen her since our time at Brewton-Parker, but always wished to reconnect. My heart breaks for each of you, especially Mr. & Mrs. Howard. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers as you walk through this journey. May the Lord bring each of you His Peace that passes all understanding. Blessings! Ellen Beverly of Thomasville, GA
I too am a classmate of Sherry’s, She was a beautiful person inside and out. May God carry you thru this sorrowful time. You will be in my prayers.
Shirley Elliott Hall of Jesup
Bruce and I are very sorry for your loss. My remembrance of Sherry (at Brewton Parker) is her sweet smile. We pray that God will comfort you and hold you in the palm of His hand. God Bless You, Polly
Praying for the family and remembering the fond memories in college and the many hours Sherry endured my voice as she played in preparation for my voice recital in those terrible little practice rooms.
David, Meg and Family,
You will be in my thoughts throughout this most difficult time in your lives. I pray that each of you finds comfort in the wonderful memories that Sherry leaves behind. May God bless you and bring you peace.
Sharing in your sorrow,
Candy Belanger & Family
I haven’t seen Sherry since high school but knew her as such a sweet person and I know that never changed. My heart aches for the family. I am praying for you all. May memories of this special loved one bring you comfort in the days, weeks and months ahead.
I have just returned from visitation in Jesup. My prayers and respect for her family can only go so far in easing the heartache of such a sudden loss. I remember Sherry as an everlasting smile and always eager and delighted with life to be shared with others. Her gift of love for all was an example of the love of our Lord Jesus, with whom she is singing today. May God be glorified thru the memories of special people like Sherry.
Alta, Dennis & family…….I, too, am saddened to learn of Sherry’s homegoing. Sorry we did not learn about this in time to visit you in person. She was such a positive influence in my classroom; being elected by peers as Future Homemakers’ of America president in the 9th grade at Wayne Co Jr High. We had such a wonderful year! Her effervescent smile and positive attitude helped me accomplish my goals. She was indeed a special gift from God to all who were priviliged to know & love her. May we always be grateful for this special blessing. May God comfort you now and in the remaining days of your journey, is our prayer.
Much Love,
Virginia Flowers Floyd
I was so very sorry to hear about Sherry. I was hoping she’d make our class reunion this fall so we could catch up. I’ll never forget all the fun we had growing up together, like the time I opened the bag of chips in Mrs. Howard’s car and they flew all over the place…what a mess!! We laughed so hard! I know how much you’ll miss her, she was very special.
God bless you all.
Love,
Marilyn
Meg and family, just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so sad for you but happy that Sherry and her sweet Katie have been reunited.
My condolences on your loss of Sherry,
I wish to share comfort from the Bible at this sad time.
The scriptures hold out a wonderful hope for our loved ones who have fallen asleep in death.
Please read John 5:28,29 in your Bible.
Another wonderful future promise is found at Revelation 21:3,4 where it states that pain and death will be no more. The former things will have passed away.
As you read these texts in your own Bible, may they be of comfort to you.
There is much Bible-based comfort to be found on the website http://www.jw.org
sincerely dianne mullins
David,
I wanted you to know that you and your family have been and will continue to be in my prayers. Cousin from the Cleveland side, Becca Fordham Black
Dear family and friends of sherry,
May God’s love shine on you in this time of loss and sorrow. May the prayers of those who care, console and strengthen you. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
I just found out about my dear friend Sherry. My most sincere condolences to David, Meg and family. I only knew Sherry as an online friend. I don’t recall how we met but the first time we talked she called me by a nickname from my childhood. It wasn’t at all well known but Sherry called me that and something told us this was special. We talked and cried together about Katie, Megan’s studies;graduation; job; marriage and Asher Kate. The love she showed had no bounds. The past year My ecards went unanswered. I searched Facebook. Today I searched again and I learned of my dear friend’s passing. She had great love for each of you. We shared a bond that I always considered a huge blessing. God bless you all. txgrammy6217@hotmail.com
I met sweet Sherry online in what was then an MSN group. I was instantly drawn to her warmth, sweetness and kindness. I was so shocked to find out that Sherry passed away over a year ago. My heart aches for her family who I know must miss her terribly. Even though we never met “in person” I felt so connected to her. She was so generous. She even sent me a Willow Tree gift of two friends holding hands. I cherish it and my friendship with Sherry. Please accept my sincere sympathies.