Florence Sherrill Ferrell's Obituary
Florence Sherrill Ferrell January 28, 1926 – December 12, 2009 Florence Sherrill Ferrell, 83, of Southaven, MS, died peacefully at Germantown Methodist Hospital on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Born January 28, 1926, in Shelby County, TN, to Emma Cash Perry Sherrill and John Bunyan Sherrill, Florence was the last survivor of 17 siblings. A graduate of Millington Central High School, she willfully served in the Office of Strategic Services, a pre-CIA governmental agency, and as an English and Typing educator, and as bookkeeper for D&F Construction. With amazing wisdom, nurturing spirit, faithfulness, and selfless love, Florence dedicated her life to her family and her God. Her three sons, Dwight, Keith, and Perry Ferrell, grandchildren, and close family inspired her years of continuous learning and gift of the written word. A published compilation of her poetry, Perceptive Perceptions, preceded numerous awards for her writings and a significant cherished prize from Publisher’s Clearing House. She graciously shared her countless talents for wood carving, crocheting, quilting, and cooking and found happiness in reading the Bible, researching the Lochness Monster, and winning against the Maven in Scrabble. Unique for her age, Florence was proficient on the computer and video games, always utilizing her skill to create personalized gifts for her loved ones. She is survived by her children: Dwight and Sherry Ferrell (Nesbit, MS), Keith and Ellen Ferrell (Hernando, MS), and Perry and Victoria Ferrell (Lakeland, TN). Grandchildren: Juanita and Marty Brewer (Nesbit, MS), Laura and Joe Whitfield (Hernando, MS), Deborah Ferrell (Cordova, TN), Holly and Ben Bronson (Memphis, TN), Dena Ferrell (Nashville, TN), and Glenn Ferrell (Lakeland, TN). Also seven great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews. An invitation is extended for Visitation at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis, TN, from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, December 15, with a service to celebrate her life following at 1:00 p.m. She will be interred at Randolph Cemetery in Tipton County, TN. Memorial gifts may be offered to the AutismSolutionsCenter.org, 9282 Cordova Park Road, Cordova, TN 38018. I Kings 2:2,3 – “Lord I thank Thee for the Bible. In it they may find all I failed to teach them. Thy spirit can lead them to seek out the answers I failed to give. Tomorrow, I thought, there will be more time, but there was no tomorrow.” An adaptation of the poem “Little Billy” by Florence Sherrill Ferrell: Funeral wreaths mid Easter lilies – Symbols of death and resurrection – As sure are we of Florence’s As of the Christ’s, who was perfection. For he was one of whom t’was said: “Suffer them to come to me”. Who can say that Flo’s dead: From tortured body, soul is free. None there is who would deny her Right to follow Jesus’ steps, To seek her rightful place beside him, For our Lord, His promise kept When He promised that “I go To prepare a place for you.” Though hearts are heavy, still we know To his word, our Lord was true. Florence now rests in the grave But grief is contradictory To faith in Christ who died to save, Who, over death, won victory. As all our hearts are burdened down, Saddened by the knowledge of our loss, We recall that he will wear a crown Who dies in shadow of the cross.
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