Sherolyn "Sherry" Kay Shove

Sherry was born on November 23, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and adopted by her loving parents, Treva (Smith) and Byron Fortner. From an early age, she knew she was adopted and always felt extra-special because of it. Adoption was so important to her that she focused her graduate research on adoption and the concept of “nature versus nurture.”

Sherry graduated from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and went on to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education from Indiana State University, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. A gifted teacher for nearly 40 years, she retired from Shelby County Schools in 2008. Over the course of her career, she taught in private, parochial, and public schools in five states. She loved working with children, and after her retirement, she worked in the PDO program at Advent Presbyterian Church, where she was a member.

Never one to hold back, Sherry was always making people laugh by saying exactly what was on her mind. She valued education and taught her daughters and granddaughters to speak their minds. Any conversation with her was lively and fun—and often over coffee. One of her staples was an iced Americano with light ice, enough cream to make it the color of a paper bag, and one sweetener.

In addition to the levity and style she could bring to any room, she also liked to go deep in her relationships. She loved getting to know people and asking questions about their lives. Her soul was kind and vivacious, and she made everyone feel at ease.

She loved others well in the ups and downs of life. A woman of faith, she felt comforted knowing that she would one day be reunited with Jesus and others who have gone before her.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by daughter Heather Shove, of Arlington, Tennessee; daughter Courtney Shove, of Memphis; granddaughters Claire and Jane Watkins of Arlington; former spouse, Fran Shove, of Lakeland, Tennessee; brother Tom Fortner of Indianapolis; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; lots of dear friends; and her beloved cat, Rudy.

A memorial reception will be held on Friday, April 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens at 3700 N Germantown Pkwy, Bartlett, TN 38133. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. at Advent Presbyterian Church at 1879 N Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN 38016.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Herb Kosten Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Shove family.