Sherry Louise Carver

Sherry Louise (Hackett) Carver, 88, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on December 6, 2024, at Casa Hospice at the Hacienda in Tucson. She was born on January 10, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to Henry and Grace Hackett, both of whom preceded her in death.

Sherry was the eldest daughter in a large family and was preceded in death by her sister Mary Oberdier, brother Steve, half-sister Ellen Hackett, stepsister Cheryl Wilson. She is survived by her brothers Bradford and Paul, half-sister Ferol Labash, and stepsiblings Bonnie Vandeventer, and David Wilson. Sherry is also survived by her two daughters, Catherine Grennell (Leonard) of Arizona and Vickie McHenry (Eric) of Indiana, from her first marriage to Dillard DeWitt, as well as four grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sherry was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald K. Andrews, and her third husband, Bill Carver.

A devout Christian, Sherry was passionate about her faith and was a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ. As a Nazarene pastor's child, she had a deep love for the local church and was known for her prayers, often interceding for her family, friends, the church, and the world. At the age of 41, Sherry experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which brought a renewed sense of joy and devotion to her faith. She became a "prayer warrior" and evangelist, sharing Bible tracts and traveling to China in the 1980s to smuggle Bibles during a time of great danger. Sherry also visited Israel and was baptized in the Jordan River, an experience that brought her great joy. Throughout her life, Sherry worked toward promoting unity in the body of Christ, organizing Christian women’s conferences in the 1990s that crossed denominational and racial lines.

Sherry had a deep love for people, and her ministry included extensive training in healing, including advanced studies at Rhema Bible Institute. She was an active member of many denominations, including Pentecostal and Nazarene churches. She most recently attended Canyon Del Oro Assembly of God in Tucson, and previously was a member of Trinity First Assembly of God.

Sherry had a long and fulfilling career as a registered nurse, graduating in 1956 from Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Her career spanned emergency room, pediatrics, geriatrics, and factory nursing. Later in life, she became a parish nurse, combining her love for ministry and nursing.

In addition to her nursing career, Sherry had a passion for music and the arts. She loved to sing and worship in the choir, and as a teenager, she played the bass violin at church. She was also a skilled seamstress, enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and organized church plays. Sherry's creativity extended to her fashion sense; she always had an eye for clothes and jewelry and was known for being well-dressed, even when using a wheelchair in her later years.

Sherry’s vibrant spirit and her joy for life were evident in all she did. She exuded a love for others, whether it was through providing a warm smile, a helping hand, or a home. As a grandmother, she planned exciting outings and reunions and was a cherished family matriarch. Even during her last years in a wheelchair, Sherry maintained a positive attitude and continued to spread joy, remembering everyone’s birthdays at Mountain View Retirement Village, where she last lived. She also had a deep affection for her cat, Socorro, and enjoyed activities like Bingo and outings.

Sherry’s life was marked by her love for people, her faith, and her unwavering joy. She leaves behind a legacy of love and faith, embodying the words from 1 Corinthians 13:7, "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Sherry is now in heaven, rejoicing in the presence of Jesus, free from pain and walking once more. She will be deeply missed, but we look forward to the day when we are reunited with her.