Sharon Lee Loftis

September 6, 1945 – October 13, 2026

Sharon “Sherry” Loftis, 81, was born on September 6, 1945, in Fayette County, West Virginia, and passed away on October 13, 2026.

Sherry spent her early years in West Virginia before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, during her high school years. She later attended Butler University, where she majored in French and Spanish. Sherry shared a special bond with her mother, Mary Lee. She was truly the apple of her mother's eye and, according to Mary Lee, could do absolutely no wrong!

After college, Sherry joined the United States Air Force with dreams of seeing the world. Her first adventure took her from Indiana to Illinois, where she met the love of her life, Gary Don Loftis. The two were married on April 19, 1969, beginning a beautiful marriage that would span 53 years. Their journey together eventually took them to the Philippines, where Sherry served as commander of a Women's Air Force (WAF) unit. After six years of military service, Sherry left the Air Force to begin her next chapter as a mother.

Sherry and Gary shared a marriage built on love, devotion, and unwavering commitment to one another. Throughout their years together, they stood by each other through life's joys and challenges, providing their daughters with a beautiful example of what it means to love wholeheartedly and remain devoted to one another through every season of life.

Together, they welcomed two wonderful daughters, Heather and Shannon. While raising her girls, Sherry continued her own education, earning a master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University.

When Gary retired from the Air Force, the family settled in Lake Mary, Florida, where Sherry began her teaching career. She first taught kindergarten at Mims before transferring to Geneva, where she taught both kindergarten and gifted education until her retirement. Sherry truly enjoyed teaching and always had a funny story to share about something one of her students had said or done. She especially loved teaching gifted education, which allowed her to work with children of all ages.

Above all, Sherry was a devoted and loving mother who poured her heart into raising her daughters. She was involved in every aspect of their lives, whether serving as room mom, leading Girl Scout troops, or cheering them on in whatever they pursued. She was their biggest cheerleader, their greatest supporter, and, most importantly, their best friend. Sherry had a wonderful sense of humor and shared countless laughs and inside jokes with her daughters, creating special memories and moments of joy that only the three of them could fully appreciate. Her love and dedication to her family were unwavering, and she made sure her daughters always knew how deeply they were loved.

Her love for family only grew with the arrival of her grandchildren. Sherry adored each of them and shared a special and unique bond with each one. She treasured their relationships and the joy they brought to her life, making each grandchild feel deeply loved in their own special way.

Sherry was also a gifted pianist who could play the piano like an angel. In her younger years, she loved sewing and baking, and some of her most cherished family traditions began in her kitchen. She created the tradition of making a Red Holiday cake for birthdays, a tradition her daughters proudly carry on today. And anyone lucky enough to have tasted her Hershey cake knew it was something special! An avid reader and faithful patron of her local library, Sherry could easily read several books in a single week. She also loved settling in to watch her favorite television show, Gunsmoke.

Sherry was a woman of deep and abiding Christian faith, which guided every aspect of her life. She was a devoted member of St. Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida, where she faithfully attended weekly worship services, participated in Sunday School, and spent several years helping with morning snacks for her church community. Following Gary's passing, she became involved in the Widows Ministry and attended Women's Bible Study, finding fellowship and encouragement among other women of faith. Her relationship with Jesus Christ was the foundation of the quiet strength, steadfast joy, and extraordinary grace with which she lived her life.

Following her retirement from teaching, Sherry devoted herself to caring for her beloved husband, Gary, and later her mother, Mary Lee, throughout their illnesses. She approached this chapter of her life with remarkable patience, compassion, and unwavering love. Though caregiving required tremendous dedication and sacrifice, Sherry never complained or viewed it as a burden. She simply loved and cared for those who needed her, demonstrating a quiet strength and selflessness that were truly extraordinary. Her devotion was a beautiful reflection of the Christian faith she lived every day.

Sherry was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Gary Don Loftis; her parents, Mary Lee and Joe Partlow and Jack Grogan; and her mother-in-law, June Loftis.

She is survived by her daughters, Heather McInnish (Chris) and Shannon Wall; her grandchildren, Caroline McInnish, Brody Wall, Kelly Wall, Collin McInnish (Kaitlyn), and Caitlin McInnish; her great-grandchildren, Carter McInnish and Cambryn McInnish; and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Murray.

Sherry will be remembered as a beautiful example of faith, compassion, and unconditional love. She lived her life with a quiet strength, extraordinary grace, and a steadfast joy that could only come from her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Through her devotion to her family, her kindness toward others, and her unwavering faith, she leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Sherry's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to St. Andrew's Chapel for being such a loving and faithful church family to her; to AdventHealth Hospice for the extraordinary compassion, kindness, and care shown to both Sherry and her family; and to Dr. Pothen Koruth and all of her medical caregivers for the excellent care they provided. A very special thank you goes to Kevin Binkley for always loving Sherry and bringing the laughter and humor that make life's difficult moments a little easier. The family is also deeply grateful to the many others who loved Sherry so well throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Sherry's memory to AdventHealth Hospice in Altamonte Springs, Florida, or the ASPCA.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)