Sherry was born on June 10, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Clint L. and Jean Shaw. She grew up in Harrisonville, Missouri and graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1977. After high school, she made her home and raised her family in Pleasant Hill, Missouri for nearly 30 years. She was the biggest fan of her sons Justin and Kyle, and never missed a sporting or cattle show event, cheering them loudly and proudly in wrestling, basketball, football, baseball, 4-H and FFA contests. Sherry was like a second mother to all of the friends that filled her children’s lives. Once the grandkids came along, it was reset and do it all over again, bigger and better.
Even as she worked at various jobs, including providing typesetting and graphic design for Better Homes & Gardens | Kansas City magazine, Sherry found time to serve on PTO, as an FFA alumni and on the local fair board. Sherry eventually fulfilled her science-minded bent working as a pharmacy technician, serving thousands during their times of need with a smile and friendly compassion. It was from this career that she retired to enjoy more time with her favorite people — her family.
Since before she could walk, the blonde curly headed girl was atop a horse. She could ride any horse you’d run under her. A natural horsewoman and a fierce competitor, Sherry amassed awards in a variety of equine disciplines including championships in western and English performance classes. Paired with One-Eyed-Jack in a muddy barrel race, she couldn’t be beat. With Dolly as her partner in the pole bending, Sherry smoked the competition and consistently took top honors, along with rightly-won buckles and saddles in rodeo.
Those who knew and loved Sherry, understood she was a force to be reckoned with. Five foot nothing came equipped with spunk and grit. She loved her family and friends profoundly. “Sass-a-Frass” and “Short-N-Snappy” loyally served each of us as our great defender and would fight a grizzly bear to protect those she treasured. She was elaborate with her generosity, to boot, lavishing us all beyond reason with gifts and hospitality. The queen of party planning, Sherry relished hosting events, building a theme and sending everyone home with door prizes. She shopped for Christmas 11 months out of the year, and never missed acknowledging milestones in each of our lives.
As for her KC sports loyalty, Sherry’s blood ran Chief’s red or Royal blue, depending on the season. Her closet was filled with team regalia and her house with memorabilia.
But, it was her Christian faith that truly sustained her through every high and low. Sherry was baptized into Christ in the family farm pond by her “favorite brother-in-law.” She loved Jesus, and served and worshipped her Savior as a generous member of Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, Garden City, Missouri. Her church family could count on Sherry for her infectious smile and were inspired by her example of determination through her many challenges.
Sherry was preceded in death by infant grandson William Ryan Rhodes and his twin brother; and infant niece Haley Mae Shaw.
Though the smallest in her family ranks, this much-loved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt leaves a gigantic hole for those she leaves behind. Sherry is survived by her parents Clint L. and Jean Shaw of Harrisonville, Missouri; sons, Justin Rhodes of Madisonville, Texas and Kyle (Angie) Rhodes of Harrisonville, Missouri; grandchildren Garrett and Kyndall Rhodes of North Zulch, Texas, and Clint and Amy Rhodes of Harrisonville, Missouri; sister Brenda (Alan) Black of Deepwater, Missouri; brother Brent (Marla) Shaw of Hamilton, Alabama; nephews Austin (Laura) Black of Butler, Missouri; Cooper (Riley) Black of Moundville, Missouri; niece Amanda Jean Shaw, Odessa, Missouri; nephews Kaleb (Carly) Shaw of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Kolt Shaw of McKinney, Texas; and great nieces Hailey and Reagan Black and Leighton Shaw.
Determined to be first and always referring to herself as “The Favorite,” now Sherry is running the perfect barrel pattern in heaven’s arena, clothed in championship purple, with Jesus cheering her across the finish line as his good and faithful servant.
Gifts of flowers and plants are welcome and charitable gifts may be extended to Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church in memory of Sherry.
