Shirley Sherwood

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Shirley Fowles Sherwood will celebrate Easter listening to the Hallelujah chorus like never before. At the age of 94, Shirley passed quietly through the veil on April 11, 2020, in her home surrounded by family.

She was born on December 1, 1925, to Jenne Revere and Sarah Inez Matthews in Denver, Colorado. She is the second of their six children. 

Shirley married the love of her life, Stephen Elden Sherwood, on November 15, 1950, in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. They cherished 65 years together as equal partners until Stephen passed just after their 65th anniversary in 2015. They are again united, with the promise of eternity together. 

Shirley is survived by their ten children, Eddie (Bobbie Shaner), Sundee (Ted Gallion), James (Rebecca Charon), Melanie (Steve Olson), Peter (Joni Kadolph), Celia (Steve Demman), Ginger (Monte Belknap), Matthew (Elaine Rawlins), Jonathan (Cindy Chapman), Stephanie (David Doner), 60 of their grandchildren with 42 spouses, and 139 of their great-grandchildren, one sister, one brother…and numerous extended family. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, one sister, one son-in-law, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Shirley was a 40-year resident of the Pierce City/Granby area and revered the heaven on earth she shared here with her sweetheart and adoring family. Shirley taught school in Idaho where she grew up. She is a master teacher and could adapt to each individual’s learning style or needs. As a young woman, more than anything, she desired to serve God by going on a mission. 

After WWII she got her wish. At the age of 23 she used her talents to teach the Japanese people in Hawaii about Jesus Christ, often through music as she prepared and directed pageants teaching about the life and mission of our Redeemer. Shirley served in many capacities as a lifelong active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

She sought excellence in all that she did and was ever an example of humility, virtue, faith and charity. She spent her life serving and lifting others, first in her home, then her community, and around the globe as she and Stephen served missions abroad after they retired. Mother was never deceived by the many counterfeits of the world. 

Her love for our Father in Heaven, and His precious Son, Jesus Christ, was paramount and unwavering as she strived to be exactly obedient. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she counted as treasured gifts from God! And she took seriously the sacred duty to teach her family in love and righteousness. She is our queen and has graduated to eternal glory. We love you Mother. May God help us to honor you by the way that we live our lives.

The family wishes to express deepest thanks to the unparalleled service and professionalism of the Monett Hospice Compassus nurses that blessed Mom’s life for only a very short time, but treated her like their own loving Mother. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers of many caring friends and family in Mom’s behalf.

If circumstances allow, a memorial service will be held at a future time, under the direction of Bennett Wormington Funeral Home, Monett, Missouri. Interment at the Spring River Cemetery in Verona, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice Compassus at https://www.compassus.com/about-us/giving-and-donations or the Humanitarian Fund at www.ldsphilanthropies.org or by calling 801-356-5300.