Our mother was a lovely woman. She embodied all of the attributes of a perfect mom. She was caring, thoughtful, hardworking, compassionate, loving and so much more. It was so difficult to think of all of the words that would describe our mother as a person and how much she meant to all three of us. Our mother was a true role model and we all looked up to her.
Our mother was a homemaker when we were younger. She married our father, Joe Sherrod in 1961. Shortly after getting married they started their family. Deborah was born in 1962, Robin in 1963 and Jennifer in 1968. She was always very active in our lives. Mother worked hard to raise her family and was always there for us when we needed her. She was up early to help get us ready for school, was there to drive us home, make dinner, help us with our homework and put us to bed. She was a camp fire leader, she decorated cakes for our birthdays, and she spent countless hours taking us to dance lessons, cheer practice and swim lessons. She made sure that we studied hard and were enrolled in a variety of activities, which she always took us to. When we were younger we weren’t able to comprehend how much time and care she put into her family. Now that we all have children of our own we can truly appreciate the amount of effort she put in to raising us and for this we will always be appreciative. After her girls got older she went to work at the family business, Laterna Hardware and Gifts where she purchased gifts for the gift shop. After leaving the family business she went to work for Neiman Marcus in Town and Country. She started out working in the dress department and later moved to the credit office. She was great at her job! She retired from Neiman Marcus and worked part-time at Houston Community College in the testing office. After leaving Houston Community College she became active in a senior citizen group named ALL. She coordinated many bus trips around the Houston area and beyond. They saw the painted churches, the ship channel, the George Bush Museum in College Station, the Toyota factory in San Antonio, a nuclear power plant and even a prison. We were in awe of her creativity and her drive to venture out to gain knowledge.
My mother taught all of us skills that we will always cherish, most of all how to be loving mothers. She was the most giving person in the world. She would truly give you the shirt off of her back if you need it. She loved the holidays and getting together with family to celebrate. She loved Halloween and Christmas the most and would decorate everything in our house to make it more festive or scary. When we were younger we’d have these neighborhood haunted houses. Once my mother dressed as a deceased old man and even drove to a funeral home in Rosenberg to borrow a casket so it would be more realistic and scary. These were great memories! At Christmas she baked pumpkin bread and Hello Dollies for all of our teachers and friends. She also put a lot of thought into the gifts that she bought for each one of us. She loved giving gifts and not just at Christmas time. Her love of family and traditions is something that we have all carried forward into our own families.
Our mom was an amazing woman who taught all of us a lot. The most important lessons were not verbal; they were in her actions. She always worked hard, never complained and was there when you needed her. She was our mother, but also our friend. We will miss her every day for as long as we live.
Our mother, Mary Helen Sherrod, is preceded in death by her parents Pete and Hattie Sustala. She is survived by her daughter Deborah O’Krinsky and son-in-law Michael O’Krinsky, daughter Robin Shope and life partner Scott Simich, and daughter Jennifer Box. Also, survived by her eight grandchildren Austin O’Krinsky, Ryan Rathburn, Jordan O’Krinsky, Brooke Box, Brandon Box, Blake Box, Morgan Shope and Blair Box, two great-grandchildren Cole Ricciardi and Madison O’Krinsky, two sisters Katherine Williamson and Shirleen McDonald and many nieces and nephews. We also want to say “thank you” to Methodist West Hospital ICU nursing staff and the nurses on the 5th Floor for their compassion and loving care.
