Sherrell Newton Weathers, Sgt, USMC

Sherrell was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, on July 22, 1939. He passed peacefully on February 17, 2025, at the age of 85. Sherrell was preceded in death by his father, Robert Arthur Weathers; mother, Flossie Earline Weathers; brothers, Bob, Ronnie, and Glenn Weathers; sister, Patricia Weathers, and sisters-in-laws, Sue and Geneva Weathers. He is survived by his wife, Donna Jane Weathers; children, Lynn Hardy (Alan), Kim Jones (Scott), Christy Lawson (Jason), and Lisa Weathers; grandchildren, Keifer Johnson, Autumn Watson (Micah), Dakota Johnson (Cassidy), Dylan Johnson, Avery Lawson, and Everett Lawson; great grandchild, Maeve Watson; brother, Larry Weathers (Belinda); sister-in-law, Phyllis Weathers. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, neighbors, friends, and extended family.

Sherrell was born at the end of the Great Depression. Times were hard for his farming family, and life was even more difficult with the passing of his father when Sherrell was 15. The family would later move around and settled in Nashville. Sherrell’s older brothers joined the military which inspired him to do the same when he was 17. When he went to enlist, the Army recruiter was out to lunch and so he signed up with the Marines. He proudly served in the Marines from 1957-1965. He obtained his GED and served as a Sargeant in the Marines. The USMC took him all over the world, including Cambodia, Laos, Hawaii, San Diego, Cuba, and the Philippines. He would also later be a proud member of the American Legion for many years.

Sherrell returned home to Tennessee where he met and married Donna Jane Stevens, his beloved wife of 58 years. They would settle into family life in Smyrna and raise four daughters - Lynn, Kim, Christy, and Lisa. Sherrell spent his family years working as a security officer and, primarily, a truck driver. He would only drive local routes so he could be with his family every day. He drove trucks for several companies like Thurston Motor Lines, Brown Transport, and Service Transport always earning safe driving awards wherever he went. He even had the patience to teach his girls and grandkids to drive, always reminding them of safe driving habits and the rules of the road. He loved driving.

When retirement age came, Sherrell and Donna left their Smyrna home of forty years and headed south to Clearwater, Florida, in 2012. Sunbird enjoyed the slow pace of retirement under the Shady Lane Oaks. He really enjoyed hosting family and friends who would come down to visit. He would always “leave the light on” for everyone, no matter what time they came. If you were staying the night, Sherrell always made the best breakfasts which was his favorite meal of the day. He would say he learned to cook at a young age and would cook for his brothers growing up. His brothers especially loved it when he made chocolate gravy! He taught his girls how to make the best biscuits and sausage gravy and fried chicken. Ice cream was definitely his favorite treat. He would always have some ice cream around. He showed his love for you by cooking a great meal. Whenever anyone would leave the house, he would follow you out, sweetly smile and wave saying, “Have a good day!”

Due to health concerns, Sherrell decided to move back to Tennessee in 2023. He spent his last days enjoying the peace of Tennessee country life which included birding, growing tomatoes, and traveling to local farmer’s markets and even the Smokies. Sherrell loved all things in nature and would reminisce about the days spent with his brothers fishing at the creek or walking with Papa Newton in the woods. He loved trees, fishing, hunting, flowers, animals, birds, and gardening.

When out and about, he would always get excited looking for deer and turkey. He and Donna always had something growing in their yard, from tomatoes and okra to cacti and lemon trees. Being in Florida, Sherrell did miss those Tennessee tomatoes! He had quite the green thumb and loved talking to his plants. He also enjoyed Nascar racing, trains, country music, woodworking, and tinkering with engines. He loved exploring and understanding how things worked. This made him a great shade tree mechanic. He loved working with his hands and staying active.

More than anything else, Sherrell loved his family. He and Donna made many sacrifices over the years for their girls and took care of them well. He was a peacemaker, a dancer of jigs, and the best Deddy and Pawpaw anyone could have. Sherrell will be remembered always having a warm smile and joking around. He was loved by so many and will be missed tremendously. His family has comfort and peace knowing he believed in Jesus and we will be reunited in heaven one day soon. There are not enough words to express how saddened we are by his loss. We love him so deeply and will miss him terribly. The family appreciates your prayers during this time.

Pallbearers include: Alan Hardy, Scott Jones, Jason Lawson, Mike Weathers, Paul Weathers, Rick Weathers, Randall Weathers, and Kern West.

We will remember Sherrell on Tuesday, March 4, during visitation 10am-12pm, and a service to follow at 12pm at Mt. Olivet Funeral Home on Lebanon Road. Reverend David Lawson will officiate. Sherrell will be proudly honored and buried at 2pm at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville.