Sherry Dawn Whitson Sproles, of Elizabethton, went to be with our Lord, Tuesday, July 9, 2019. She was born December 18, 1950 to the late Horace M. and Dorothy Morley Whitson. She was the fourth of five children.
Sherry grew up on Big Springs Road and was a lifelong member of Big Springs Baptist Church. Sherry held many positions within the church, serving with love and thankfulness to help grow God’s Kingdom here on earth. Sherry loved and cared deeply for her church family.
She was affectionately known as “Ezee,” a nickname given by her father. As a child she would go off for hours and play with her dolls. She was easy to take care of. This meek personality was to stay with her her entire life.
Sherry was a 1968 graduate of Happy Valley High School, where she was a cheerleader. She had two daughters with her first husband, Shellee, in 1971, and Leslee, in 1972. Shellee passed away two days after birth.
Sherry worked for 30 years for the state of Tennessee Department of Human Services. She started in the Carter County Office, and then spent the majority of her career in the Washington County Office, working also in the Vocational Rehab Office and finally retiring in the Carter County Office. Sherry married Michael Sproles in 1998. During their time together they shared in many passions, spending time at the beach and relaxing was one such special love. Flower and vegetable gardening was enjoyed by Sherry and Michael. She loved going to craft shows where she would show her handmade guilts and talk to people about the Lord. Together Sherry and Mike attended numerous Gem Shows in several states.
Sherry enjoyed canning and cooking. She always made sure people had plenty on their plate. A loving trait she got from her mother.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shellee Dawn Hughes; two sisters, Nancy Whitson and Patricia Whitson Karsnak; and a brother, Gary Whitson.
Survivors include her husband, Michael; a daughter, Leslee, Nashville; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Debbie Whitson, Elizabethton; a sister-in-law, Liz Whitson; a brother-in-law, Joe Karsnak; and her father-in-law, Tommy Sproles and wife Ann. Sherry is also survived by many very special nieces and nephews and caring family members including her church family.
A service to celebrate the life of Sherry will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Big Springs Baptist Church with the Rev. Brian Cable officiating. Her daughter, Leslee, will give the eulogy. Music will be provided by Carl Gasser, Reiley Whitson and Sandy Douglas, pianist. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the church. Sherry’s family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Hospice, nurses, workers and chaplains that helped during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Sherry requested that memorials be made in her memory to Big Springs Baptist Church, St. Jude’s or Amedisys. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Sproles family.