Mary Louise Townsend Sherrard

DENISON – Mary Louise Sherrard, longtime resident of Denison, Texas, passed away on September 9, 2012, at her home. She was born Mary Louise Townsend on January 27, 1922, in Paris, Texas, youngest of three daughters of Claude and Mary Rigero Townsend, where her parents operated a confectionary store. Her sister, Claudia, operated a millinery shop in Paris, Texas.

Mary married Charles Amizare Sherrard at the age of 16 in Hugo, Oklahoma, on October 3, 1938. Over the years they operated a Buick dealership in Denison; an RV dealership in Colbert, Oklahoma with long-time manager, Sonny Richardson; and a cattle ranch in Denison. Mary loved to take care of her family and enjoyed living on the ranch. Her talents extended from creative cooking in the kitchen to artistic painting with oils.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Claude Townsend, husband, Charles A. Sherrard, two sons Charles Sheppard and Charles Lawrence, and sisters Claudia Edwards and Dorothy Sheperd.

Mary is survived by her stepson, Charles Warren Sherrard of Winter Haven, Florida, daughter-in-law Jerri Jane Sherrard of McKinney, Texas, grandchildren Charles Mark Sherrard and wife Donna of Bartow, Florida; Pamela Waters and husband Phil of Bartow, Florida; Heather Lee and husband Cody of McKinney, Texas; Charles Scott Sherrard and wife Laura of Arlington, Texas; Shana Sherrard Stonebarger and husband Shane of Pottsboro, Texas; and Christopher Austin Shane Sherrard and wife Priscilla of Cathedral City, California. Great grandchildren surviving her are Benjamin, Melinda and Megan Sherrard, Hudson, Sheppard, Jacey Isabella and Lola Grace Lee, Melissa and Brian Sherrard, Charles Cole Meeker, and great-great grandchildren Blake Sherrard and Wyatt Stonebarger.

Mary enjoyed the company of her lifelong friend, Margaret V. McLerran, of Conroe, Texas. Martha Scotch and husband Angelo, Peggy Gay, Martha Donaldson, Treva and husband Charlie Thomas, and Clara Tarver, all of Denison, Texas. A special thank you is extended to Robert Byers for his many years of faithful assistance; to Home Instead Senior Care and constant caregivers Elizabeth Boles, Nita Jones, Vivian Whitfield, and Rita Gay all who assisted in caring for Mary so that she could remain at home during her final years.

Pallbearers will be Charles Warren, Mark, Brian, Scott and Shane Sherrard, in addition to Cody Lee, David McNees, Sonny Richardson, and Robert Byers. Family visitation will be held Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., followed by funeral s ervices at 2:00 p.m., at Bratcher Funeral Home Chapel located at 401 West Woodard Street in Denison, Texas with Reverend Roy Spore, Pastor of Waples United Methodist Church, officiating.

There will be a private burial service at Cedarlawn Memorial Cemetery in Sherman Texas where Mary will be interred next to her late husband, Charles.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waples United Methodist Church in Denison, Texas, a 4-H Club of your choice, to Home Hospice of Grayson County, or to your favorite charity.