Sheri Scholz Carpenter

Sheri Scholz Carpenter was born on May 16, 1966 in Lubbock, Texas to Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Scholz. Sheri was the youngest of three daughters. The family prospered in the growing west Texas city of Lubbock with Dr. Scholz in the busy practice of orthopedic surgery. Sheri was raised within a beautiful family that stressed traditional values of hard work, morality, and discipline. Sheri’s mother, Nancy was a skilled professional dancer and stressed the importance of style and grace and each daughter developed into beautiful young women with remarkable talents in gymnastics and cheerleading. Sheri’s phenomenal beauty led to success in major beauty pageants, including winner of Miss Texas Teen USA and finalist in Miss Teen USA. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, studying broadcast journalism and graduated with the B.A. degree in 3 ½ years. While in college, Sheri applied her talents by being accepted as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, which her sisters Suzette and Stephanie did as well. It was during her final semester at SMU that Sheri met young Dr. William (Bill) Carpenter, a new surgical intern at Baylor University Medical Center. The two fell in love and were married the following year. Being married to a surgical resident required extra tolerance of the demanding workload and stress associated with the training experience, and Sheri was up to the task.

By balancing the teamwork associated with a new marriage and household, Sheri allowed Bill the latitude to grow his skills as a doctor and surgeon. This was a commitment that continued during the busiest and most challenging chapters of his residency and into very difficult years of additional training in Plastic Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Even after settling into a very busy private practice in Dallas, the couple continued this arrangement where Bill focused on perfecting his surgical skills and growing the practice, and Sheri providing the equally demanding job of managing a growing household and family. The couples’ first child, Catherine Lauren, was born in Dallas one year prior to the move to Nashville. Two boys followed upon their return to Dallas- William Cole and Michael Case. Once the young family was settled in Dallas and properly grounded, Sheri set out to become involved in cultural and civic opportunities within the community. Networking through her sisters, who likewise married surgeons, and through new friends in Dallas, Sheri worked within organizations and groups that provided important direction and funding for a variety of causes. These included The Council for Life, The Union Gospel Mission, The Texas Kidney Foundation, and many others.

Sheri had a natural talent for organization and for enthusiasm, which was infectious. She made friends very easily and made people feel very comfortable around her. She had extreme nurturing instincts, and was able to identify people in need, quickly attending to them without question or prejudice. She possessed a unique dichotomy: powerful grace and beauty coupled with a grounded presence, which was remarkable. She was equally at ease at a couture fundraising event as when on the street feeding the homeless. There was truly only one Sheri to everybody - genuine, loving, caring, and compassionate. Her eyes revealed the honesty and pureness of her soul, while her smile wrapped others in comforting warmth. The most remarkable thing about Sheri was that she was entirely comfortable - comfortable to be around, comfortable to talk to, incredibly comfortable to look at, comfortable to hold and embrace. She had the most unpretentious way about her, displaying nothing other than her true self, hiding nothing and holding nothing back.

Absolutely nothing was more important to Sheri than her growing family. Education was of paramount importance to Bill and Sheri, as was the social complexities associated with raising young children in a rapidly changing world. Each child was allowed a tailored approach to their education, matching strength and skill to selected schools. Fortunately within Dallas, educational opportunities were readily available to match their goals. Also, with her athletic background, especially with gymnastics and tennis, Sheri became involved in each of her children’s sports endeavors. This included soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse and field hockey. She immersed herself fully into each sport, actively supporting the children and the team, maybe a bit more than the usual Mom. The youngest child, Case, advanced the furthest within sports. A natural athlete, Case displayed serious ability that led to national recognition in lacrosse, which ultimately led to numerous collegiate scholarship opportunities at the D-1 level. This was coincident with Bill’s busiest years in practice, so Sheri had no problem with stepping up in helping her young son navigate the scholarship arena. She was a serious supporter of Case and his Highland Park lacrosse team and then the University of North Carolina lacrosse program. Through this involvement, Sheri and Bill were introduced to a remarkable community of people involved with the sport, not only in Texas, but across the country. This included players and their families, their coaches and other members within the sport. Sheri was truly in her element on the lacrosse field -she loved the game.

Through the busy years that rapidly passed, Bill and Sheri kept a steady eye on maintaining the growth and development of their children. Sheri especially was quite effective in reinforcing important principles with her daughter and two boys. Each have now entered into adulthood and Sheri would be proud to say that she has accomplished her goal in allowing each child to go forward in their own way, thoughtfully encouraging their path through her and her husbands’ example.

Of paramount importance was Sheri’s Christian faith, which strengthened with time as she herself grew, facing the challenges of a difficult world. She learned from, and was heavily influenced by a remarkable group of friends that led her closer to the Truth, where she learned to know that the only way through this life and beyond was through Jesus Christ. She became passionate with her study of the scripture, learning from it and as a result becoming a better Christian, capable of her obligation to convey that Truth, in a loving way, to her family. This awakened the Spirit in her husband as well, together establishing the basis of spiritual understanding and growth within her children.

Sheri was a woman of remarkable ability, incredible flexibility, genuine charm and grace. She was unrelenting in her convictions and beliefs, boldly proclaiming and sharing her deep-held faith in the Lord. She came into this world on a mission to be sure, and there is no doubt that she was successful in this mission. Throughout her life she was up to the task and ready for anything, including the inevitable but tragically sudden and untimely end to her life. We thank the Lord for Sheri, a true and genuine gift in this world, and passionately await to be reunited in the next.

Sheri is survived by her husband of 30 years, Dr. William Michael Carpenter of Dallas, Texas; her children Catherine Lauren Carpenter, William Cole Carpenter, and Michael Case Carpenter all of Dallas, Texas. Her father Dr. Kenneth C. Scholz; her mother, Nancy Lewis and Dr. Elbert Lewis, her sister Suzette Scholz Derrick and her husband Butch; her sister Stephanie Scholz Neurohr and her husband Hunt; her brother-in-law, Bow Carpenter; and pre-deceased by her brother-in-law David Carpenter; many dear nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sheri’s Life will be held at Park Cities Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18,2017. The family will be greeting friends and relatives in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Council for Life, 4516 Lovers Lane, STE 103, Dallas, Texas 75225 or councilforlife.org/carpentermemorial or Union Gospel Mission, 3211 Irving Blvd.,Dallas, TX 75247.