Mershell J. Sherman Jr.'s Obituary
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, Mississippi. Mershell was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David Sherman, his twin sister Ladell Sherman Crawford, and brother-in-law, James Albert Crawford.
Mershell is survived by his son Christopher Sherman, daughter Kendra Adams, son-in-law, Charlie Adams, three grandchildren; Connor, Layla, and Lillie, and his older sisters; Mary Frances Lang (James) and Elizabeth Pardue, as well as many other loving nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends in Tallahassee and Mississippi.
Mershell's grandparents migrated from Lebanon for the promise of opportunity in America. They started a family near the banks of the Mississippi River, finally settling in Greenville, MS. He graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in 1974, and two years later, moved to Tallahassee with his then wife, Kathy. Mershell Sherman Sr., a businessman, greatly influenced his youngest son. Mershell started The Refinishing Touch, a successful furniture refinishing and repair business that he owned and operated for over 30 years.
At his core, Mershell was an artist, but it wasn't until the death of his twin sister that he found his passion for creating art. He dedicated his spirit and talents to painting, drumming, and teaching. Mershell loved his time volunteering at the Tallahassee Senior Center and drumming at Abundance Wellness Center. He truly enjoyed connecting with people, and he wanted everyone to understand that music and art can not only entertain but truly heal.
He enjoyed spending time outdoors and always cherished the time he spent bringing his children and eventually his grandchildren to the places he loved. Whether it was the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, Alligator Point or the trails of Torreya State Park, Mershell was at his happiest in nature. He would often retreat to the outdoors to work on his spoons, play drums, or paint the scenes that caught his eye.
To quote one of his favorite musicians, "I got somethin' in my heart, I been waitin' to give. I got a life I wanna start, one I been waiting to live". Mershell has started a new journey, and he will continue to give to us all. His family and friends will miss him dearly, but Mershell's beat will carry on.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 3 at 4pm at Millstone Plantation. More details will be posted on Mershell's Facebook page and distributed via email. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the GoFundMe created by his friends at the Tallahassee Senior Center https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-star-for-mershell-sherman.
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