Sherry Diane (Dawkins) Sheppard

With sincere compassion, and empathy we respectfully announce the transition of a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, and Friend. Mrs. Sherry Diane Sheppard-Dawkins; a resident of Spartanburg, SC, and native of Plantersville, AL, traded earth for Glory on Thursday, October 8th, 2020. She was 59 years old.

Public Visitation will be held Friday, October 16th, 2020 from 4-6 PM in the Chapel of Jackson Professional Funeral Services. In compliance with the directives issued by Mayor Reed as well as the CDC guidelines, ALL individuals attending the visitation and/or funeral services are REQUIRED to wear a mask or suitable face covering at ALL times while inside of the facility

The Homegoing Celebrations will be begin at 11AM on Saturday, October 17th at New Life Church Of God In Christ; 5000 Patterson Rd. Montgomery, AL. Pastor-Supt. Terry Ellison is the Officiant. Committal & Interment will take place at Bethel Grove Baptist Church in Plantersville, AL.

Sherry Diane Sheppard was born November 17, 1960 to Vermon and Annie Sheppard. She was the eldest of 13 siblings. Sherry confessed Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Bethel Grove Baptist Church until life led her through other ministries during her life journey. Sherry graduated from Billingsley High School in May 1979 in the top 10 percent of her class. Focused and driven to accomplish her goals, Sherry became a Hornet at  Alabama State University where she pursued and attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. She was a member Alpha Kappa Psi Honor Society. During her senior year, she accepted a co-op position. This resulted in her first career position and that is where she met her future husband, Rufus Dawkins. In 1987 they married. Sherry and Rufus were blessed with two children, Ashley Nicole and Eric Sheppard Dawkins, both of Spartanburg, SC. Sherry was ambitious, focused, and tenacious.  Even as a teenager she would travel out of state to spend the summer with one of her aunts, and work to help pay for school fees and costs for the upcoming school year. 

Mrs. Dawkins is survived by her two children, parents, eleven siblings: Cassandra M. Sheppard, Montgomery, AL, Fitzgerald Sheppard, Kissimmee, FL, Alvin  Sheppard, Trussville, AL, Burnette (Derice) Surprise, AZ, Teonna (Robert) Mills, Birmingham, AL, Ronnie Sheppard, Montgomery, AL, Gene Sheppard, Prattville, AL,  Marlena (Andrew)  Lewis, Harvest, AL, Pamela Sheppard, Plantersville, AL, Quiniece Sheppard, Dallas, TX, and Kelsey (Candace) Sheppard, Montgomery, AL. She also leaves four grandchildren, 21 nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Sherry is preceded in death by her husband, one sister: Delancy Rena Sheppard; one nephew: Curtis L. Hunter; two nieces: Lashay and LaTesha Melton; maternal grandparents: Ocie & Annie L. Smith; paternal grandparents: Israel and Eunice I. Sheppard; and a host of uncles and aunts.

Jackson Professional Funeral Services is humbly grateful to the family of Mrs. Sherry Diane Sheppard-Dawkins for entrusting our Caring & Dedicated Professionals with the final arrangements of their loved one. We solicit your continued, sincere support & prayers for the family as they navigate through this time of grief.

Thank You, JPFS

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