Sherri Ann Schmidt Smith

I don't know where to begin. My mom was my best friend. She was always there for me no matter what and supported everything I did. She tried to give me, my sister and my brother the life she never had, which she accomplished. She made me who I am today; a strong, independent woman, just as she was. She was the greatest mom in the world and she meant everything to me. I will miss her touch, her laugh, her gorgeous smile, her tea she made with four cups of sugar, but most of all, I will miss the way she loved me. Her love was unconditional. Life will be forever changed. Without her will be tough. I know she would want me to stay strong. I will never forget you. I love you mom. We will be able to hold each other again one day! Until then, I will hold our memories close and never forget them.

Song written for Sherri's funeral by daughter Amber and sung by Amber's boyfriend, Josh:

For one so small, you seemed to strong

Your arms held me tight, kept me safe and warm

This bond between us can't be broken

Cause you'll be in my heart forever more

Not only were you my mother

You were my true best friend until the end

Although we both had our problems

I never once stopped loving you, you know it's true

And I'll miss you

Shine your light down on me

Lift me up so I can see

Your light still shines when you're gone

Please, give me the strength to carry on

I miss you

From Ashley, Daughter-

Living all her love was her life's ambition. These past twenty-two years have flown by extremely fast. I'm looking at all the pics I have of you and me and your smile is keeping me strong. If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd run right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Mommy, even though it's killing me that I can no longer hear you say you love me or kiss and hug you, I know that you're home and you will always be standing by my side. You always told me how much you worried about me and wished that some day you, me, amber, and Brett could all live together and be with each other, and since that never happened, I know that you're up in heaven right now looking over all of us and making sure your babies are doing ok. You no longer have to worry about where we are and how we're doing because you're our angel and you'll ALWAYS be with us.

Mommy, I know that I shouldn't regret anything, but I'm sorry, I will ALWAYS regret those days when I told you that I hated you. Mommy, I know you know I NEVER hated you. I always loved you and ALWAYS will!! You weren't only my mom but my best friend! my hero! God definitely gave me the best mother any girl could ever want! With all the memories, good and bad, I wouldn't trade these past 22 amazing years with you for anything! I love you mommy!

Love always and forever,

your little sweet pea

P.S. I've always heard that when we go to heaven we will all get our own mansions. Maybe we'll get what we always wanted and God will let me move in with you. And mom, please don't spend everyday watching over me. Enjoy heaven. You deserve it! Just know that your sweet pea is going to try and make you proud every day! I love you and I will see you soon.

From Cindy, sister -

Sherri came to our family on July 14, 1971. She was an almost four-year old bundle of energy that rarely stopped moving or talking. We fell in love with her instantly but it took her longer to feel that way about us. She had suffered many difficulties as an infant and toddler and she wasn’t very trusting of strangers. My dad remembers that it took nearly a year before she believed that we weren’t going to send her back any time she misbehaved.

For someone who grew up as an only child, it was suddenly strange – and noisy – to have Sherri around. She talked, danced or sang all day long and even at bedtime, she put herself to sleep by pounding her head on the pillow and singing to herself. She was the beneficiary of my passions for sewing clothes and cutting hair and she was always excited to receive either - no matter the results.

She worked a part-time job during most of her high school career. We watched her become a wife and mother and homemaker. She later sought employment at Irving Independent School District so she could be off when her children were out of school. She was employed by Zales for the last four years. At either job, it was rare for her to miss a day of work.

I remember being the one to take her for a sonogram during her first pregnancy. Some test results came back out of range and the doctor wanted to find out why. She came out of the hospital room looking like a deer in the headlights and mumbling “Two….there’s two.” It took me a couple of minutes to figure out that she was expecting twins.

Like any sibling, she could be frustrating or exasperating, but I can’t recall of us ever having a major disagreement. And she good-naturedly took the family’s teasing when she regularly got her facts confused. My favorite story about this is when, many years ago, when Heather had been sick, Sherri called to check on her and find out what the problem was. I started giving her a detailed explanation but then realized I should keep it short and simple so I said, “In a nutshell, Heather had allergy problems.” I later found out that when another family member spoke with Sherri to get details, Sherri responded that Heather had swallowed a nutshell!

Her birthday in October and Christmas will be difficult without her. We won’t have anyone to blame for the missing tea bags or sugar or hair gel. As we remember the happy times with Sherri, may the tears eventually give way to smiles.

God saw you getting tired & a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around you and whispered “come to me”.

With tearful eyes I watched you and saw you pass away.

Although I loved you dearly I couldn't make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest;

God broke my heart to prove to me, He only takes the best.

Arrangements under the direction of Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home, Grand Prairie, TX.