Birth date: Apr 24, 1952 Death date: Jan 19, 2022
Mershell J. Sherman Jr., age 69, passed away suddenly on January 19, 2022, at his home in Tallahassee, FL. Mershell was born on April 24, 1952, to loving parents Mershell J. Sherman, Sr and Ladell Ray Sherman in Greenville, Missis Read Obituary
This past summer (when our son, Michael, drove down from Maryland to visit), Mershell invited us to join his drumming circle under the overpass on FAMU Way. We had just moved to Tallahassee from Alligator Point and were not able to find and unpack our percussion pieces to join in. Mershell was generously kind in letting Michael use Mershell's own djembe when we arrived with no instruments of our own. I was truly touched by that act of kindness by Mershell and I bought some spoons from Mershell in Dec. to give to Michael as a Christmas gift because of that drumming circle special memory. One of Mershell's beautiful paintings was given to me as a housewarming gift from a mutual friend. It is now happily on the wall over our dining table brightening our meal times with its vivid colors. The last time I saw Mershell was at a music jam gathering of friend's on Andy Moorer's porch at the beach on Alligator Point just a day or so before we heard the heartbreaking news of Mershell's passing. He was happily drumming with us that day and enjoying conversation over a shared meal. He had brought some of his spoons to show the group and I helped him carry them back to his car as we prepared to drive back to Tallahassee. Is difficult to believe that he will not be joining us to make music again. I recently bought two of Mershell's spoons to use as a pair for serving salads. When I got them home and looked at them more closely, I discovered the outline of a heart in the wood grain of one of the two spoons that were identical in every other way.
We had the pleasure of living next door to Mershell for 17 years. I loved hearing him play his drums and having long chats about art and music. He was an awesome person. Best neighbor a person could ever have. We will miss you Mershell. Rest in peace.
Mershell was a kind and gentle soul, he will be greatly missed.
Mershell was truly a good man. We played music together so many times over the years—porch jams, living room jams, barroom jams, and he provided stellar rythym with me at severals bar gigs and house concerts. It's such a shock to lose him so soon. I hate that I missed the last jam at Andy Moorer's house at Alligator Point—how could I know it would be his last.
What a fabulous man. I first met Mershell through furniture. He restored several pieces for my clients, and finished some pieces for my son’s room. I purchased several spoons from him as gifts. Sorry that I never bought one for myself, or had a special chair restored. I always put it off. Thought I had time. So sad for friends and family. He will be greatly missed.
Mershell was such a light in Tallahassee. I was so fortunate to have experienced many drum circles over the years before I moved away in 2017. After moving away I was in connection with him and purchased many spoons as gifts and to have for my home. My spoon collection is in the heart of our home, the kitchen. Each time I use one of them I will continue to embrace the heart energy that Mershell put into each unique piece. Thank you Mershell for the love that you brought into the Tallahassee community and that I have in the heart of my home.
From the 1970s through 2021, Mershell repaired and restored pieces throughout our house. His refinishing touch was perfect. He was a master craftsman who loved bringing wood back to the life it deserved. Moreover, he became a good friend who always made us smile and laugh. We feel his presence in every room and always will.
Jeanie Conner and Stan Makielski
Mershell was an amazing artist and my go to professional whenever we had any damage at Middlebrooks Relocation Systems-United Van Lines. Mershell workmanship left the furniture better than it was beforehand. Mershell was more than a colleague, he was a good friend. The last time I saw him Jeff Phipps called me about finding a professional furniture restoration service. I told Jeff there was only one person for the job and yes, it was Mershell. I was able to find Mershell and bring him from retirement to handle the massive job for Orchard Pond Plantation and Jeff was ecstatic with every piece of antique furniture restored. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Mershell was my djembe teacher. The others in the class and I learned and laughed so much. I saw Mershell not long ago at a farm day. He was selling his beautiful wooden spoons, and of course I bought several. It is so difficult for me to fathom that he is no longer with us.
Hazel Blumberg-McKee
