Sherraine Linda Blair-Nelson

The world lost some of its light with the passing of Sherraine Linda Blair Nelson, 73, on March 17, 2024 at her home in Northeast DC, surrounded by the love of her family and all those who cherished her.

She was a lifelong resident of Washington, DC, born August 29, 1950 to Ivan and Grace (Gilmore) Blair. Sherraine was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by three of her siblings including her beloved brother Terrance. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1969, where she participated in the talent show and hoped to put her lifelong interest in exercise to good use as a physical education teacher. She attended historic Federal City College, DC’s first four-year public college. Afterwards she started her career path as a dispatcher for the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, moving on to the District Department of Transportation. After marrying her former husband, Donald Lee Nelson on March 17, 1972 and raising their two sons, Sherraine finished her career with fifteen years of exemplary service at FedEx as a package handler. Additionally, she returned to coursework at the age of 57 when she earned her certification as a Home Health Aide, which she put to good use while also working her last few years at FedEx.

Sherraine was called “Ma” by her oldest son Demetrius (she was the only one allowed to call him “Metrie”) and his wife Jennifer (that she loved like her own for over 24 years) who reside in Crewe, Virginia and her youngest son Deon also of Northeast DC, who had been her loving caretaker and a constant partner in banter for many years. “Grandma” was the name she went by to her only grandchild, Demmie King, of Temple Hills, MD, who she was beyond proud of to see graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts & Animation. She was also a kitty grandma to many cats over the years, her favorite being Scout, who she called “Scoutie” and thought of as her cat. She would ask to see him first on video chats and loved to watch his silly antics.

Some of her children’s favorite things about Sherraine were her sarcastic sense of humor (which they all share), a constant need for help with technology and her childlike innocence. There were many chats about their combined interest in the DC/Marvel Universe (Ma’s favorite was DC) and comics. Sherraine’s love for them began at a young age when her sister Joan’s boyfriend would read Thor to her. Archie comics and The Flash tv show were also favorites. Law & Order and Murder She Wrote ratings will surely plummet now that Ma won’t be here to watch them constantly. Her kindness and gentle spirit brought joy to many; her simple way of seeing the world gave you a new perspective when you were around her. Any gift you brought her was the greatest thing she had ever received. Above all, she will be remembered for her strength, endless love, support and pride for those she loved most. “And though she be but little, she is fierce!”. -Shakespeare. When it came to her family, Ma never let anything stand in her way.

From sewing, crafting and plants, Sherraine always enjoyed hobbies that involved creating. Singing was another passion she carried with her through her entire life; this was visible from the groups she belonged to in school to the way family and friends would often hear her spontaneously singing along to songs on the radio or to herself. One of her favorite songs was “Rough Side of the Mountain” by Rev. F.C. Barnes. A lyric from this song goes; “This old race will soon be over. There'll be no more race for me to run. And I will stand before God's throne, all my heartaches will be gone. I'll hear my Savior say, "Welcome home.". It brings us peace to know that her race is complete, she is home and singing with her Lord.

Sherraine was very strong in her Christian faith and proud to be baptized as a member of Jehovah Shalom International Ministries Inc. on December 3, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in our mom’s memory to SOME (So Others Might Eat), a non-profit in DC that she held in high regard. SOME has worked to help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our nation’s capital for over 50 years while providing housing, healthcare, emergency and social services, education and workforce development as well as advocacy for those in need. Information can be found at: https://some.org/