Mrs. Shirley Ann Knox Sherrill, 88, entered into God’s eternal rest on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Autumn Care of Statesville. She was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., on June 30, 1937, and was the daughter of the late Vernor Hill (John) Sanders and the late John Edward (Virginia) Knox. She was reared by the late Thomas and Roberta Hill Knox.
Shirley was educated at Dunbar High School in Mooresville, N.C. She was employed with the Troutman Shirt Industries, Rubbermaid, and Kmart before she retired. She was a member of Bethesda AME Zion Church, where she served faithfully in multiple ministries, including the Stewardess Board, Missionary Department, and the choir. Mom was also the second oldest lady in the church and was honored every year on Mother’s Day.
Shirley was our matriarch. Mom was considered the family photographer and videographer and loved making visual memories. An avid reader, Mom’s house has multiple bookcases, brimming with books. She was a historian, scrapbooking with newspaper clippings, telling oral stories, and collecting resources about Black History. She loved gospel music, and her favorite local group was the Willing Travelers. Shirley loved being around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She even has a grandparent ring with the birthstones of each grandchild, and her own at the center. Mom was known for her green thumb. She would take a cutting from anyone’s plant and make it flourish. She was a free-hearted and supportive soul and was willing to help anyone any way she could. Our mom was truly amazing.
Shirley was married to Alexander Sherrill, who preceded her in death. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremy Brown; a daughter, Sharon Sherrill; and a son-in-law, Dennis Brown Sr. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Knox, Ricky Sanders, Donald Summers Sr., Oneil Sanders, and John Sanders; and by her sisters, Vivian Worth and Willie Graham.
Shirley leaves to cherish the memory of her loving smile and loving heart two daughters, Sandra Brown and Debra (Leonard) Campbell; one brother, Marlin Sanders; sisters, Marie Williams, Claudette Byers, Chrystal Flake, and Dr. RoseAnn Feagins-Kerns; one aunt, Carolyn Munday; grandchildren Dennesha Sherrill, Vershan Sherrill, Lashirah Brown, Dennis Brown Jr., Starr Dixon, Jewell Scott, Charlton (Keisha) Conner, Clayton (Amber) Waugh, Timothy (Jessica) Campbell, Miracle Campbell and Chad Freeman; great-grandchildren, Kendall Goodson, Cameron Sherrill, Olivia Waugh, Nori Campbell, Zaire Campbell, Chandler Conner, Charlize Conner, Jordyn Williams, Mariah Mitchell, and Lailah Brown; and a host of relatives and friends whom Mom loved and cherished.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March, 19 at Bethesda AME Zion Church. Burial will follow the service at Iredell Memorial Park in Statesville.
Cavin-cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Sherrill family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.