Sharon Neff Kerley
November 17, 1949 – August 22, 2022
Sharon Neff “Sherry” Kerley, of Richmond, Va., passed away peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2022, surrounded with love from her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul E. Neff and Pauline G. Neff. Sherry is survived by her husband, Malcolm T. Kerley (Mal); her children, Kate DeVriendt (Erik), Jenny Larkum (Michael), and Matt Kerley (Frances); her grandchildren, Jonah, Alice, Eli, Gabe, and Maya DeVriendt, and Eva, Paul, and Mac Larkum; and many other loving family and friends.
Sherry was born on November 17, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Kilmarnock, Virginia in 1952 when her parents opened the Ben Franklin 5 & 10 store. By the age of 10, she was helping customers and operating the store’s cash register. She graduated from St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock in 1968 and The College of William & Mary in 1972. Moving to Richmond, she worked briefly before obtaining her teaching certificate to begin her career in elementary education. She was a wonderful, loving, and dedicated teacher who, to her husband’s amazement, would remember the names of her students and parents 25+ years later. Her career was interrupted to raise her children and she retired from teaching in 2001.
Retirement allowed Sherry to travel with her husband, enjoy her grandchildren, and to actively participate in various groups and organizations. She loved the annual Beach Week with her children and grandchildren, where Happy Hour was at 5 o’clock every day on the beach! Among her many activities included the Chi Omega alumni group, PEO, St. Matthew’s Wedding Guild, Tri Club, Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, and serving as a docent at the Governor’s Executive Mansion.
Sherry will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and Nonna, and as a loyal friend, lifelong educator, and gracious hostess with a flair for fashion.
Family and friends will be received at Affinity Funeral Service, 2720 Enterprise Parkway, Richmond, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, from 6-8 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1101 Forest Avenue, Richmond, on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 2:00 PM, with a reception following in the Church Parish Hall. Interment in St. Matthew’s Memorial Garden will be private.
In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of Sherry’s work as an educator, please consider a donation to Elijah House Academy at elijahhouseacademy.org.
Matt,
Your mother was a beautiful and talented woman! You and your entire family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. You will be blessed with wonderful memories of her.
Love, Laura and John Wright
What an exceptional person Sherry was to all who knew her. My sister, Helen Langhorne, was fortunate enough to have had her as one of her all time BEST FRIENDS. I love what Laura & John wrote, “You will be blessed with wonderful memories of her. “
Mal and family…..David and I will always remember the memories we shared with y’all and the Westwood Junior Woman’s Club bunch. We will remember Sherry as a woman of grace with a sweet spirit! Our love and prayers are with you…..
Oh Kate. I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. I will be praying for your comfort and peace in the coming days. Lots of love to you and your family.
Mal and family, Joyce and I send our deepest condolences. We pray for comfort and peace. All our best,
Mike Strickland, VMI ’71
Mal,
I am very sorry to learn of Sherry’s passing. My memory of her is that she was a wonderful lady. Please accept Janie’s and my sincerest condolences.
Your Brother Rat,
Fred
Mal
When I think of our days at VMI you always come to mind. Your family is in my prayers during this difficult time.
Tom and Linda Fitzgerald
So sorry for your loss. Sherry was a wonderful person and dearly loved her family.
I grew up with Sherry in Kilmarnock and remember visiting her house often. We shared time in Girl Scouts and the Brownie troop which was led several years by Sherry’s mom. Sherry worked in her parents’ Ben Franklin store and was quite a character behind the cash register! She often came down to be with me at my dad’s Rexall Drug store.
I lost touch with Sherry for many years and then reconnected through the Chi O alumni functions. I did not know she was sick and she will be missed so very much by all of those who knew her. Please know my heart goes out to you, Mal, and to all of your children as well as the grandchildren. My deepest sympathies and prayers to all of you.
GodBless you Mal, so sorry for your loss………
John&Laura Metzger
God Bless you Mal, so sorry for your loss………
John&Laura Metzger
Dear Mal,
Jeff and I are truly saddened to learn of Sherry’s passing. She was lovely and fun,. I always appreciated that she graciously reached out to me and welcomed me at VTCA functions when she attended with you. We are so sorry for you and your family that she is gone much too soon. May your memories bring you comfort and peace.
In Sympathy,
Laura and Jeff Southard
Vero Beach, FL
Sherry was one of my sweetest friends at The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club and I am so saddened to learn of her passing. I send my deepest sympathy to the entire family. I will miss her but am blessed to have built some great memories with Sherry along life’s path.
Mal, I’m so very sorry to learn this news of Sherry. Please know that our sincere thoughts and prayers remain with you and all your family.
Your Brother,
Hunter and Nancy Mays
Mal,
Our sincere condolences, may God bless you and your family.
Ron and Sharon Garrett
Mal,
Very sorry to learn of your loss. Sherry’s passing points out to us how fleeting our blessings in this world really are. Stay strong, Brother.
Erwin & Brenda Hanke
Mal, my sincere condolences to you and your family. My late Mother was a Chi O at William & Mary, and a sorority sponsor into her late eighties, when she moved to Williamsburg later in life. I wish I had made that connection at St Matthews with her. You have been a fortunate man, Mal. Sincerely, Bill Abbitt
I am so sorry to learn about Sherry. I enjoed working with her to make 3 Tshirt quilts for her children. I am moving on the date of her service so will think of you all although I won’t be able to attend.
Sending healing prayers and comfort during this tough time
My love to Kate and her family. Prayers for comfort and peace
Sherry and I were roommates at St. Margaret’s and later married VMI men. We were devoted friends even though our visits were infrequent in recent years. I can’t realize that she’s gone. I’ll always treasure our friendship. Lewis and I will be with you this week.
Dear Mal – I just heard about your wife’s passing. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts. May her soul Rest In Peace and may God give you and your family the strength to deal with this unbearable loss.
Mal – Please accept my condolences on the loss of your wife. I know nothing I can say will make things better but I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you in these difficult times. Praying for you and your family.
Mrs. Kerley was truly one-of-a-kind. The incredible family she leaves behind is a testament to her character. It was an absolute privilege to know Sherry and she will be deeply missed.
May her light become a living universal light.
Caitlin
Mr. Kerley:
Deepest condolences at your loss!
Asha and me will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Trust in the Lord!
Mal & Family,
Sorry to hear about Sherry’s passing, she was a wonderful person. Please accept my sincere condolences.