Sherry Ann Avery's Obituary
Sherry Ann Avery was born on January 5th, 1960 to Sharon Kaye Sullivan in Ada, OK. When Sherry was still an infant her mother met and married Jay Rodean Buchholz, who would love and treat Sherry as a first born daughter until his death in 2011. Seventeen months after Sherry was born, her lifelong best friend and baby sister, Terri Elaine was born, followed by two little sisters 9 and 10 years later Connie and Kim. Growing up with a father (Jay R Buchholz) and step-father (Boyd McCoy) who were in construction allowed Sherry to experience life in many different states, these included; Kansas, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Sherry and Terri had many adventures as they moved from place to place and managed to have fun wherever they were taken. As life continues 6 more siblings would be added to mix between the marriages of their mother and father to other spouses. When Sherry was 17 she and her sister Terri decided to move and live fulltime with their dad. When Sherry was 18 she decided to leave the nest and start a life with her first husband Orlando “Russ” Russell. This marriage would produce four children; Nicholas Orlando (79), Wendy (1981), Danielle Kaye (1985), and Saraya Elizabeth (1990). In 1986 the Russell family headed east from Oklahoma to Russ’s hometown of St. Augustine, Florida until 1994. Sherry would often reminisce about the absolutely stunning white beaches she visited while living in St. Augustine. In 1994 Sherry and her youngest child Saraya returned to Oklahoma with Russ, Nicholas and Danielle following. Sherry was a jack of all trades and held many different jobs in her life. She was a stellar waitress at many different restaurants whose customers absolutely adored her. She also worked as a caregiver in a nursing home and had her own business as a cleaning lady. About 8 years ago Sherry met Kenneth Avery while working at the Corner Cafe, they became friends and quickly to more. They were married 3 years ago. Ken would stand by Sherry’s side through sickness and health and was by her side as she took her first steps into Heaven. Sherry and Ken just loved spending time together, talking, watching movies, cooking together, just being together! Sherry loved spending time with her family, reading was another favorite activity as was watching movies which usually included some pretty scary stuff when she was younger but mellowed out as she got older. She had a great love of music as did most of her immediate and extended family, some of her favorites were country and classic rock, you could also throw some rap in there as well. It wasn’t uncommon to find her with headphones on or blasting her favorites through the speakers in her house or car. She loved to sew and crochet and created many beautiful things. She had an ability to understand electronics and technology quickly and efficiently. If you were a friend of Sherry’s on Facebook you know she loved to post stuff, sometimes it was how her day was going and other times it would be a quote, something silly, pictures of her grandchildren, or a delicious recipe. Sherry was a fantastic cook and will definitely be remembered for her potato salad and pasta salad which were always brought to family events. Her absolute favorite Holiday was Thanksgiving and she was able to spend her last Thanksgiving surrounded by people that loved her at the Porta Caeli Hospice. Where her sister Terri, niece Summer, and daughter Danielle made sure all of her favorites were brought for her to eat. It was an amazing day and anyone near knew how much she was loved and how much she loved those there for her. Sherry loved all white flowers but her very, very favorite where white orchids. Probably because of their amazing beauty without being flashy much like she was. She also had a great love for the colors purple and green and of course teal after her cancer diagnosis. Sherry had a very fulfilled and active life for the short 57 (almost 58) years she was on Earth. She leaves behind a deeply grieving family that will never let her beautiful and free spirit be forgotten . Sherry took the hand of her daddy, Jay R and crossed the pearly gates of Heaven on December 18th, 2017, she leaves behind her husband Kenneth Avery of Tulsa, mother Sharon, McCoy of Seminole, OK, former step-father Boyd McCoy of Tennessee, ,grandmother Alice Miner (granny) of Seminole, Ok, six sibling including, sister Terri Timmons and husband Rick of Broken Arrow, OK, Kymberly Ganus and husband Bill of Waynesboro,Ms , sister Connie Faircloth and husband Joey of Dunlap, TN, Debra Adams of Webbers Fall, OK, brother Kenneth Purdom of Muskogee, Ok, Sister Donna and husband Alan of Broken Arrow, Ok. Four children Nicholas Russell and wife Courtney of Tulsa, daughter Wendy Malchow and husband Rob of Tallahassee, FL, daughter Danielle Russell of Sand Springs, Ok, and daughter Saraya Russell of Tulsa, OK. Six grandchildren Ryleigh Russell, Kashlynn Roth, Rylee Malchow, Hunter Malchow, Kiley, Cayden. Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Sherry was preceded in death by her Father Jay R Buchholz, grandpa Oscar Sullivan, Grandpap Henry Buchholz, Gram Opal Buchholz, her aunt Sue Hawk, her biological father Kenneth Purdom, and her brother Darren Purdom. Sherry will never be forgotten and will live on in the hearts of those who loved her and stood by her during the good times and the hard fought battles with cancer. Her never ending faith in the love of God has resulted in her having a beautiful life on Earth and now in Heaven where she will continue to watch over her loved ones and be their shining light and guardian angel. Those left behind will continue to grieve and find a way to complete with life on earth without her with the joy of knowing God is Good and took her exactly when he was ready for her in his heavenly home…She will be missedMemorial Service will be 12:30 PM, Saturday, December 30th, Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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