Marian Chambless Sherman was born in Albany, Georgia on February 21, 1945, to parents Hazel Thomas Chambless and Marion Sidney Chambless and died on Saturday October 15, 2022.
Following her graduation from Albany High School in 1963, Marian attended the University of Georgia where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She was first employed with the Citizens and Southern Bank in Albany but spent most of her career as an educator at Deerfield Windsor School as a Kindergarten assistant, Kindergarten Music Director, and Director of Extended Day Care. For 33 years Marian influenced hearts, stimulated minds, and inspired the musical talents and abilities of hundreds of young boys and girls.
Marian was a past member of the Junior League and was a current member of the Albany Woman's Club, where she served as Executive Board Secretary, Publicity Chairman, and editor of its newsletter, The Mirror. She was also the secretary and co-president for the Albany High Class of '63 fifty-fifth reunion.
Marian was a charter member of Sherwood Baptist Church, a past member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands, North Carolina, and most currently a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
She married John Mercer Sherman June 25 ,1966, and they were married for 56 years. They grew up three blocks apart in Rawson Circle. Both attended Albany High School but never met until, at age sixteen, they enrolled in an oil painting class at Wally Hill's Art Studio. They began dating after the first class.
Marian was a devout Baptist while John was an Episcopalian. Their first compromise was when she insisted they get married not in the Episcopal Church but in the Methodist Church by a Baptist preacher. (The same Baptist preacher that married her parents.) In the early years of parenting, Marian taught Sunday school at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Vacation Bible School.
Marian loved music, children, animals, and was a diehard Georgia Bulldogs fan. She leaves behind three cats: Oreo, Tiger - the storm cat of 2017, and Boo - the Halloween cat.
Marian was blessed to enjoy many close friendships over the course of her life. Whether from school, work, religious or civic participation, Marian's warm smile and servant's heart meant she never met a stranger. Some of her closest friendships were forged in her neighborhood growing up and endure to this day.
She cherished being with family, adored her four grandchildren, and loved spending time with the Albany High Class of '63 Women. Marian treated everyone with respect and dignity. She channeled the sense of humor of her father and could make you laugh with her quick wit and biting sarcasm.
She is survived by her husband John M. Sherman and her two sons: Bryan Sherman, and his wife Jennifer and their children Katelyn and Aaron Sherman of Raleigh, North Carolina and Alden Sherman and his wife Laura and their sons Mercer and Gavin Alden Sherman of Clearwater, Florida.
She is also survived by her brother Tommy Chambless and his wife Nancy of Albany, Georgia and three nephews, Sid Chambless, Wayne Chambless, and LtCol Greer Chambless, and by her brother-in-law David Sherman and his wife Martha.
Visitation will be at St. Paul's Church between 1 and 2 o'clock Saturday, October 22, 2022, in the Parish Hall with the funeral service following in the sanctuary at 2 o'clock. There will be a private interment at Crown Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial donations in memory of Marian Sherman to either the Albany Woman's Club c/o Betty Gotsch at 1012 6th Avenue, 31701 or Hurricane Ian Victims, Samaritan Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone N. C. 28607.
You may sign the guestbook at
www.kimbrellstern.com.
Published by Albany Herald from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20, 2022.