Sherry J. Gill

Sherry Jacques Wright-Gill was born in Vancouver, Washington on Friday, December 7, 1951, to Tarlene James and Willie Rogers. As a toddler she was legally adopted by Raymond Wright, Sr. She peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Sherry attended elementary school in her Seattle Central District neighborhood but was the first black student to attend middle school in West Seattle. Often, she would relate the story of her first day of middle school after taking two buses to get there being greeted by the principal of the school at the front entrance with a “Hi Sherry, welcome to our school.” Later she attended Cleveland High School and was involved in numerous activities including being on the fashion board of a prominent Seattle Area clothing retailer. This inspired her artistic and creative talents which resulted in her making a lot of her own clothes. After graduating she attended the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. One of her unplanned college events was assisting with an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity car wash fundraiser. Near the end of the day, she assisted in washing a sports car (TR6 Triumph) of one of the Alpha’s named Jim Gill. As luck would have it a spot on the vehicle was not properly cleaned which was pointed out to her by Jim. A discussion ensued as to whose responsibility it was to remedy the oversight. After considerable debate that went on for several hours into late evening, it was concluded that Jim should properly clean his vehicle that day and for the foreseeable future. That chance meeting/debate was the beginning of a 54-year relationship including 49 years of marriage beginning May 1975. Their children started arriving in February 1978, Kiara, then December 1982, Chaleia, and lastly in March 1985, Dane. Sherry was intent on having the children experience other parts of the country and the world. The “travel bug” was introduced early on with trips to Disney World and Disney Land during the Christmas holidays. Later those adventures would include cruises through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic and North Seas, Indian Ocean, and the Florida Keys. And numerous countries/cities in Europe, Turkey, Egypt, Russia, Iceland, Australia, and New Zealand. Exposing them to these various cultures and peoples was her way of instilling in them an appreciation for all the races of people we share this earth with. Probably the most memorable adventure was a journey through Norway during the winter as it was her first time on a snowmobile. During college she worked part-time in the title insurance industry and enjoyed it. After college graduation she decided to stay in the industry and started working as an examiner of title records to produce the title report. But she soon got bored with these tasks and wanted to move into the sales/marketing area of the business. However, at the time none of the title companies allowed people of color to be in the field as a sales representative. Leaning on her marketing/communication skills she convinced her office manager to give her a trial run. They agreed on three months to see if it could work, and she was assigned to the South King County area. Her effervescent positive personality, artistic/creative cards, pictures, and can-do attitude carried the day with many customers. She became one of the most successful and sought after Marketing Representatives in the title industry for many years. Sherry became affiliated with New Beginnings Christian Fellowship church shortly after it began about 20 years ago along with other family members. She was not a regular Sunday services attendee due to mobility issues that resulted from hip replacement surgery, but when technology advanced to where services were available through the internet, she became a very consistent “Bedside Baptist” attending every Sunday religiously. However, she always made sure that the family was represented in church programs and activities through weekly contributions to tithes and offerings, sponsoring kids for vacation bible camp, gifts for children or battered women, event tickets, student scholarships, etc. Going forward her endearing legacy will be cherished by spouse Jim, her only living daughter Kiara, son Dane, and “grand puppy” Khoda. Additionally, her loving parents Raymond and Tarlene Wright, another mother Mary Rogers, sister Valerie Wright, sister-in-law Janice Wright, and a host of loving - cousins, and friends of the family. She was preceded in transition by her two brothers Raymond Wright, Jr. and James C. (Jay) Wright.