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Sheri Denise Gilliland was born on July 19, 1955, in Little Rock, AR to Ponder and Floy (Cantrell) Gilliland. She was the fourth child born into this loving family and was definitely the “cherry on top.” She entered heaven from her home in Oklahoma City on March 9, 2023 and was eternally reunited with her parents, brother and sisters.
Sheri loved being a “pastor’s kid” having lived in Kansas City, MO; Torrance, CA; and Long Beach, CA. She joined the Bethany community in 1970 when her Dad came to be the pastor at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. She was an integral part of his ministry at BFC as well as the many years to follow using her beautiful singing voice. Her ease and gentle spirit with which she sang endeared her to many, naturally resulting in countless invitations to sing for weddings, funerals and special occasions. Throughout her life she sang in many groups, but none more treasured to her than the group known as Covenant. Singing for over 30 years with this group, Sheri had all her favorite things: close friends, great songs, lush harmonies, and many opportunities to lead in worship and to praise her Lord.
Sheri graduated from Putnam City West High School in 1973 and later from (then) Bethany Nazarene College in 1977 with a degree in Psychology. She went on to own and operate a very successful business known as The Travel Center for many years. Sheri delighted in facilitating numerous family vacations, work and witness trips, honeymoons, and business travel for clients. She loved to travel as well, generously sharing her many travel opportunities with family and friends throughout the years.
Sheri proudly followed in her mother Floy’s footsteps in the fine art of entertaining. She hosted a plethora of holiday parties, wedding and baby showers, birthday celebrations, and dinners with elegance and grace. She often filled her table with those who might be alone for the holidays, providing delicious food and a place to fellowship and belong. Her home was well-known and loved for its warm and inviting ambience that will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to spend time there.
Sheri was especially gifted in the area of caregiving as she lovingly cared for her mother, Floy, sister, Glaphre’, father, Ponder, and sister, Marsha in their years of illness. This special gift was carried over to other families and later the residents of Southern Plaza Retirement Community. Sheri was thorough, intentional and fun while bringing great comfort to the many in her care.
Those who had the wonderful privilege of knowing and loving Sheri will greatly miss her deep friendship, loyalty, generosity, hospitality, her warped sense of humor, her thoughtful intentionality and the way she made everyone feel so very loved and special. In short, we are all at a loss.
Sheri was preceded in death by her parents, Ponder and Floy Gilliland; sister, Glaphre’ Gilliland; brother, Ron Gilliland; sister-in-law, Lin Gilliland; and sister, Marsha Gilliland.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Verlyn Gilliland of Newberry, MI; nieces, Christa Reese (Chad) and Cara Kime (Nathan); great nieces and nephews, Damien Reese (Jasmine), Chelsey Reese, Olivia Reese Guerrero (Juan), Vivien Reese, and Kaylee, Jonah, Mya and Grace Kime; great-great niece Alice Guerrero and great-great nephew Malcom J. Reese, all of Terra Haute, IN.
Sheri will live on in the hearts and memories of a host of cousins, several adopted nieces and nephews, those ministered to by her beautiful voice, along with treasured dear friends who were family to her.
A celebration service of Sheri’s life will be held on Monday, June 5, 2:00pm at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.
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