Sherri Lynn Bearden

Sherri Lynn Bearden, a woman full of beauty, power, passion, ferocity, and love, was born prematurely on July 12, 1953, and left this earth on June 5, 2025, at the age of 71—still fighting, just as she came in.

Sherri was many things: a devoted mother, grandmother, family member, and friend. She was also a teacher, healer, and artist. Kind and gentle yet full of spark, Sherri had a knack for finding the perfect phrase for any moment. One of her favorites was, “Dynamite comes in small packages.” And truly, she was a little stick of dynamite. She was opinionated, authentic, and unafraid to speak her mind, a quality she shared with her sisters, Yvonne Brannon, and the late Charlotte Bearden.

A creative spirit, the things Sherri enjoyed are a sweet reflection of the woman she was. A perfect moment for her would have been watching a sunset over the ocean in Hawaii, flamingos silhouetted in the foreground, and Pink Floyd playing in the background. She loved music, classic rock, and sharing songs with those she loved.

She was most often pictured in the kitchen, making some of our classic family recipes—green chili with homemade tortillas, or chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes. She adored the children that came into her life “to pieces,” and poured herself into her family through food, presence, and endless creativity.

Skilled at quilting and embroidery, Sherri’s hands were always busy making something beautiful. To call her a seamstress doesn’t quite capture it; she was an artist and a creative entrepreneur. Throughout her life, she crafted countless handmade gifts for her loved ones, each full of care and intention. We treasure those pieces now more than ever.

Sherri’s early years in downtown Denver weren’t easy. She didn’t speak until around age three, a delayed start due to her premature birth. Growing up around addiction, she faced many challenges that followed her throughout life, and yet, she met them all with resilience and grit. Life didn’t always treat her kindly, but she never let it break her.

She met her husband and the father of her children, David Davis (deceased), where she worked at Winchell’s Donuts in Denver, which still stands to this day. He came in daily until he got the nerve to ask her out. Their seventeen-year relationship was both beautiful and complicated.

Family was the center of Sherri’s life. She built a unique bond with each of her loved ones. She shared art and creativity with her granddaughter Nikki Nichols, daughter of her eldest, Shannon Noah. She was there from the moment her first grandson, Damian Lovelace, was born, supporting her youngest daughter, Jennifer Davis. And in her final years, Sherri shared a deeply close bond with her grandson, Chance Davis—her companion, caregiver, and best friend. They shared a love of music, cooking, and an off-kilter sense of humor. Their time together was a gift to them both.

She never backed down from a challenge. She was a ten-year breast cancer survivor, earned a degree in computer programming while working full time, and helped raise her stepdaughter, Rachelle Boydston, with love and care. Her door was always open to her kids, grandkids, and anyone in need.

Her interests were expansive—from nature, food, and art to spirituality, classic rock, trucks, and football. She connected with each of her loved ones through shared joys, whether it was watching football or races with her son-in-law, Casey Noah, or dreaming up the perfect zucchini bread recipe with her daughter, Jennifer.

Sherri and Jennifer shared a particularly close bond. They were partners in creativity, confidants, and co-conspirators through all of life’s ups and downs. In her later years, Sherri turned toward healing and spiritual practice. She studied Reiki and completed a training program alongside her eldest daughter, Shannon, an experience both mother and daughter cherished. Her spiritual curiosity was nurtured by her sister-in-law, Linda Davis, who shared astrology, runes, and oracle cards. These soulful exchanges touched her deeply.

Sherri’s life was filled with both complexity and color, marked by hardship and resilience, tenderness and strength, sorrow and immense joy. As she was passing, her granddaughter, Nikki, whispered, “It’s all perfect.” And it was. Her life, in all its layers and richness, was beautiful. We are so deeply honored to be part of her story.

We will be holding a virtual celebration of life in honor of our beloved mother. We invite you to share your love for Sherri by sending messages, photos, or videos to [email protected] by her birthday on July 12. Your contributions will be included in a digital tribute, which we will share with all who loved her shortly afterward.