Sherri L. Tanner

Sherri Tanner was a woman who didn’t just walk through life. Sherri ran, and danced, and sang along her way. She was an incredible lady, a loving mother, and a friend to so many. Most of all, she was a woman who treated every day as a gift, a gift she enjoyed to the fullest, and a gift she shared with all those around her.

Sherri’s story began on a warm spring day in 1961, in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were such fascinating times in this country, at the start of John F. Kennedy’s presidency. On April 30, 1961, Mayfred and Carol (Hines) Nutter found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Sherri.

Sherri was the first born of four children and joined her parents in the family home in Kalamazoo. As a child, Sherri was drawn to the arts, which became a lifelong passion for her. She possessed a beautiful voice, and loved dancing, too. She enjoyed going to the Kalamazoo Civic Theater, sometimes stepping on stage as a performer, as well.

Sherri attended Mattawan Schools. After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Darwin Harrison. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Heather and Cassandra. After ten years, the marriage ended in divorce.

Sherri met a man named Norman Tanner, and the two quickly fell in love. Sherri loved riding on the back of Norm’s motorcycle, ever the adventurous woman she was. The couple was soon married, and Norman’s daughter April became part of the family.

Sherri was a wonderful mother, and an excellent cook, as well. She could make almost anything, always from scratch, with the healthiest of ingredients. Sherri was an avid runner, and always took great care of herself — and her family. Her marriage to Norman eventually ended, but her love and commitment to her children never wavered.

Sherri had many passions in life, from singing her favorite Patsy Cline songs on Karaoke night, to curling up with a good romance, mystery or biblical novel, to playing golf at States Golf Course in Vicksburg.

Sadly, Sherri was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, and devoted all her energy to battling the disease, not just for herself, but for others, as well. She raised funds for the “Walk for the Cure,” and battled it into remission, but in 2007, her cancer returned. Her goal was to see her oldest daughter marry, and her youngest daughter graduate from high school, two of the many great things she accomplished in her time with us. Sadly, Sherri died peacefully on Monday, August 13, 2007 at Rose Arbor Hospice, at the age of 46.

Sherri was a wonderful woman, a woman who treated her life as a gift, who treated every day as a true blessing. Her time with us was too brief, but her life was a gift to us all, a gift we will cherish forever. She will be greatly missed.

Surviving besides her parents, Mayfred Nutter and Carol Morrow are two daughters: Lance Corporal Heather C. Booker, USMC and her husband, Sgt. Brandon A. Booker, and Cassandra Kay Harrison; step-daughter, April Lynn Tanner; granddaughter, Adrianna Rene’ Booker; a sister, Sandra Kay Rose; two brothers: Steven W. Morrow, and William “Reb” Morrow. Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held Thursday 3:00 PM at the Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church. Following the service, a gathering will be held at the Moose Lodge on Portage Road (just past Austin Lake). Please visit Sherri’s Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com, to share a memory or sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church 4141 E. Hillandale Kalamazoo 49008. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo, 375-2900.