September 10, 1927 - February 4, 2025
Patricia Lyle Sherrill (Pat), a resident of Morning Pointe in Tullahoma, formerly of Decherd, TN, passed away in her sleep February 4, 2025 at the age of 97. She was born at home near Mena, Arkansas, on September 10, 1927, to Harry F. Lyle and Ella J. Wolfe Lyle. As the eighth of ten children, Pat grew up in a large, loving family.
In the late 1940s, Pat moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, following her brother Tom and sister Katharine. It was there she met Henry (Hank) Phillip Sherrill, a sales representative for Chevron. They were married on Memorial Day in 1952 at San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town, Albuquerque. The couple shared a loving life together, moving from El Paso, Texas, to Roswell, New Mexico, to Midland, Texas, and back to El Paso as Hank’s career progressed. After retirement, the couple moved to Decherd, Tennessee to be close to their daughters and where they became active in Good Shepherd Catholic Church and their neighborhood. Along the way, they raised four daughters, a family Pat always considered "perfect" in her heart—four daughters, all close in age and bound by a deep sense of love and loyalty. She was a wonderful homemaker, known for creating a warm, welcoming environment for her girls and their friends. She was an inventive cook, often conjuring meals from whatever was available in the pantry and refrigerator. No matter the task, Pat always encouraged her family to do their best, reminding them that perfection was less important than effort—a sentiment she lived by, long before the phrase "Just do it" became famous.
After retirement, Pat and Hank travelled all across the United States. They loved to see the country from the back roads. It was nothing for them to take off across the country to deliver a piece of furniture to a needy far-flung grandchild, keep in touch with distant family and friends or just to see the sights. Once they stopped by Naples, FL to see one of their daughters while “on the way” to experience the fall colors in Maine. Pat drove and Hank would navigate, dutifully highlighting the route with a neon marker. Pat continued to travel to visit family after Hank’s death, talking her daughters into going with her.
Pat was a dedicated member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, a lifelong devotee who attended Mass regularly, both weekly and daily, until health made it impossible. She lived her faith through the way she cared for her family and home. At church, she was a member of the choir for many years and proclaimed the Word as a lector. She gave of herself by volunteering with the hospital auxiliary, with Good Samaritan Ministries in Decherd and by delivering meals with Meals on Wheels for many years.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Hank, her five brothers and four sisters, and her son-in-law Terry Joe Revelle. She is survived by her four devoted daughters: Clare Turok (Mike), Hannah Revelle, Helen Brown (Terry) and Karen Stein (Joe). She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one step-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Her legacy of love, faith, and perseverance will live on in their hearts and in the many lives she touched. Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Morning Pointe in Tullahoma, and especially her dedicated care givers, Diane Mervyn, Lawanna “Butta” Rippy and Penny Starnes who greatly improved the quality of her life in her last years. They brought her great joy and friendship.
A memorial Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Decherd, Tennessee February 21, 2025 at 11:00AM with visitation starting one hour prior.
Comments