Sherri Graves Smith – Obituary

On July 25, 1971, a beautiful baby girl was born to Arthur and Jean Graves, joining her two older siblings, Lisa and Kenny. Sherri Graves Smith was born at Eglin AFB, Florida, and spent the first few years of her life in the Panama Canal Zone. At the age of three, her family moved to Tuscumbia, her beloved hometown.

Sherri was a faithful member of High Street Church of Christ. During her teenage years, she taught Vacation Bible School and spoke at youth programs. She was a dynamic public speaker; she powerfully shared her journey and her faith in her messages.

Sherri was educated in the Tuscumbia City Schools and was a 1989 honor graduate of Deshler High School. In 1993, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Alabama, where she was awarded the Vivian Malone Award for the African-American graduating senior with the highest grade point average. She continued her education at Cumberland School of Law graduating in 1996 with a Juris Doctorate. Sherri began her career as an attorney at Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta, GA. After four years at Troutman, Sherri accepted a position as a Global Marketing Attorney in the legal division of the Coca Cola Company. In November 2007, as she was preparing for a three year position in Vienna, Austria, her career path changed when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.

This, however, was not the end of Sherri’s story—it was only the beginning.

At her birthday celebration in 2007, Sherri reconnected with an old friend, Chuck Smith, and in 2008, they were married. Chuck has been a faithful and devoted husband, truly showing what it means to live and to keep your vows in sickness and in health.

In 2012, Sherri began a new career as a children’s author. An ardent and devoted University of Alabama football fan, she was appalled that an Alabama fan poisoned the famous oak trees at Auburn. From her concern that cheering for our favorite teams was turning into instances of bullying and verbal and physical abuse, she began writing children’s books that teach manners and good sportsmanship. There are now over forty titles in the Game Day Series. In 2014, Sherri introduced the first Lil’ Sherri book, Is My Cup Empty? and the second book, Open Your Heart to Happiness will be released later this fall. In January 2014, Sherri was named the 2013 Author of the Year by her publisher, Mascot Books, in recognition for her superior achievements in storytelling and writing and a demonstrated passion for literature.

Throughout her legal career, Sherri volunteered in various ways in the community. Observing that not everyone had the resources and support that she had from coworkers, friends and family, Sherri joined with her colleagues in the Legal Department at Coca-Cola to organize and sponsor benefits for the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation. In four years, with just two benefits, they raised over $400,000 to support programs to pay for transportation, medical expenses and living expenses for cancer patients in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Sherri was awarded the 2013 Survivor Circle Award by the American Society for Radiation Oncology for her contributions to the Atlanta cancer community. Sherri was also honored as the first inductee into the Tuscumbia Education Foundation Hall of Fame. This award is for graduates of the Tuscumbia, Alabama school system who have exemplified excellence in their careers and in the community.

Sherri is survived by her husband , Chuck and her stepson, Carsten; parents, Arthur and Jean Graves; sister, Lisa (Julian) Minor; brother, Kenneth (Tamekia) Graves; half-brother, Frank Graves; nieces, Leslie Minor, who lived with her and helped to care for her , and Kristen Graves; mother and father-in-law, William and Joyce Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Misti and Rodney Palmer and their son, Arian; aunt, Mrs. Gloria Mahorney of Washington, DC; uncles, Dr. Isaac Graves of Richmond, VA, Mansel (Denise) Long, and Jon Long both of Tuscumbia; nephews, Arte, Arlon and Armond Graves, cousins who were like siblings, Jennifer Daniels, Bridget Floyd and Tatia Williams, a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, November 6, 2016, from 6-8 PM at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will be Monday, November 7, 2016 at 11 AM. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Brother Michael Roberts, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Tuscumbia.

If you would prefer to make a memorial donation or tribute gift, please consider the following organizations: Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, Inc., 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. NE, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30342. Tuscumbia Education Foundation, Inc., 303 North Commons East, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. Helen Keller Hospital Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 610, 1300 South Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, AL 35660.

“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live while you live and the manner in which you live.”–Stuart Scott, ESPN sportscaster.