Sherry Jeanne Johnson

Sherry Jeanne Williams Johnson was born in Buckeye Lake, Ohio on May 28, 1937, the daughter of Edward and Geraldine Williams. Her early years were spent growing up with her younger brother, Brad, in the resort area around the lake. She worked with her father running his bait shop, tending the garden, or helping with his amusement ride at Buckeye Lake Park. When Sherry was in middle school her mother attended evangelistic meetings held by the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, and answered Christ’s calling. Both Sherry and her mother were baptized into the church and Sherry loved learning in Sabbath School. Her mother was dedicated to giving Sherry a Christian education, and she was able to attend Mt. Vernon Academy (Ohio) and later graduated from Highland Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. She remembered fondly these years in boarding school, fostering her love and talent of music, creating adventures with her roommates, and making life-long friends.

After high school graduation, Sherry returned to the family home in Hebron, Ohio. Always a “natural mermaid” she became the star performer in high diving and synchronized swimming for the aquatics show at Buckeye Lake. At that time, the lake was a booming tourist destination, and she dazzled the audience with her poise and form. On the way home one day, she pulled into the local gas station, where “Blackie” pumped gas, checked the oil and tires, and fell in love through the windshield of her ’52 Chevy convertible! Bill (Blackie) Johnson and Sherry were married in a small family ceremony a year later, the start of an adventure lasting almost 65 years.

Settling in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, they started a family – a little girl that would be followed by two sons. Sherry pursued her education, earning a technical degree in secretarial services, and became a shorthand expert! This served her well in her occupations going forward, including executive secretary at North American Rockwell Aviation, and for the Dean of Nursing at Kettering College. More importantly, in their early years of marriage she led her young husband to a relationship with Jesus. Sherry and Bill attended church faithfully with their family, and their Sabbath keeping led them to make job choices that would allow them to be in church each week.

In 1971, the family of five spent the vacation of their dreams in Florida. For three weeks they camped in the July heat, falling in love with the beaches of Ft. DeSoto, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys. They vowed that they would be in Florida permanently within the year. Imagine the excitement as they pulled the moving truck into their home in Tampa, Florida almost exactly a year later! The family found a church family home at the Tampa First SDA Church. Sherry and Bill quickly became leaders in the kids’ departments and Sherry blessed the congregation with her beautiful alto voice. They were part of the church team that built the current house of worship, as well as expanding the then-Tampa Junior Academy into a high school facility. The family’s happiest times were going to worship; Sabbath afternoons were spent outdoors in their beautiful new home state, exploring parks and many times canoeing the rivers!

As her children graduated high school and found their own careers, Sherry began her “second profession.” After working as an executive secretary in an investment firm, she decided to study for the difficult stockbroker exam and earned her license. She took a position with Franklin Templeton Investments, and soon found her niche as an International Meeting Planner with that company. For almost a decade she coordinated company meetings in the Bahamas, mostly at the luxurious Atlantis Resort. She became a liaison to the Bahamian Tourism Council, was frequently sought out to share her expertise in international relations and became proficient in navigating the streets of Nassau – a difficult task! Sherry fell in love with the islands and the people she met there and was affectionately referred to as their “Pineapple Princess.”

After her retirement, Sherry and Bill had the opportunity to travel more frequently – the Southwest being an absolute favorite destination! The family began a “Family Vacation” tradition – renting large homes where everyone could come together for cooking meals, games, visiting local sites and creating memories. Ellijay, the Grand Canyon, Blue Ridge, Helen, Rainbow River, and St. Augustine were just a few of the vacation destinations! Sherry’s artistic talents blossomed in her intricate journaling and scrapbooking, as well as her sewing skills which she used to create unique wall art, particularly of places they had travelled, such as the Bahamian streets, the Yellowstone Caldera, and the red rocks of Sedona.

Sherry loved Jesus and loved ministry. She and Bill were the perfect complement; her talent being the planning and details, and he being up front! In their retirement years, Sherry edited the church newsletter and organized and implemented health fairs and food classes. She anchored the alto sections of the choir and sang in chorale groups. Sherry had an artistic gift that she shared selflessly. Her greatest delight was being able to support Bill in the ministries God gave him. She fed the folks he brought home at a moment’s notice, planned programs for childrens and adults, and encouraged new members of the church. It was easy to believe in a loving God when you saw Him reflected in Sherry and Bill’s ministry.

Over the last five years, Sherry and Bill shared a property with their daughter and husband. It was a place for family to gather, to watch the chickens, to feed the deer, and to be assisted when needed, especially after Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As his mobility became more impaired, and words harder to find, Sherry was to be found at his side. Always. He was her heart. Sherry remained the quick witted, Coca-Cola drinking, chocolate loving mother and grandmother, always with Bill’s hand in hers.

After Bill’s quiet passing at home Christmas of 2021, Sherry continued to enjoy the company of her family, watching Elvis movies and listening to Gaither music, and now holding the hands of her children and grandchildren. In February she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, placed on hospice just a few days later, and she passed away quietly in her home, with her daughter at her side, just ten days after that first appointment. She was assured repeatedly that when her eyes opened again, she would see Bill, her beloved mother, her children and grandchildren, and Jesus. She closed her eyes, confident of who and what was waiting for her.

Sherry is remembered with love by her daughter Julie Bacon (Ben), son David Johnson, daughter in law Jennifer Johnson; nine grandchildren (and spouses); seven great-grandchildren; brother Bradley (Sharon) Williams as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband William Johnson, son Steven Johnson, and grandson Mitchell Johnson.

Our beloved mother and grandmother will be remembered privately by her family. Please honor her memory with a donation of time or money to a ministry that you believe in.

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever." 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17