Eleanor "Ella" Sherron

September 6, 1941 - November 12, 2025

Eleanor Mays Sherron was an incredible woman. Ella, as she was known, was soft spoken, gracious, hardworking and incredibly patient. People speaking of her always remarked how sweet and pretty she was. Her family, who were privileged to know her more deeply, saw a wife, mother, aunt & grandmother who was endlessly loving and caring. No one was more empathetic than Ella. No one was more comforting than her if you were sick, sad, or just worried about life in general.

Ella was remarkably intelligent and quick witted. Her observational and deductive skills were unmatched. She could suss out the true intentions of a person after one conversation, just by staying quiet and listening. Her observations were revealing and spot on. If you listened to her advice, she would lead you around any pitfalls and guide you to the better path.

As a mother, she had high standards for her children's manners, character, and behavior. Without ever raising her voice, Ella could signal her disapproval. Once you received "the look", you had better straighten up immediately. No words, warnings, or reprisals need be voiced. Her parenting was based on leading by example. She was composed, well mannered, and kind. She expected that from her children, and they were always striving to meet her expectations.

Ella was also a fabulous cook. She loved trying new recipes, the more challenging the better, and subscribed to every high-end cooking magazine there was. Her cookbook and recipe stash, complete with her notes and comments, will be among her family's most prized inheritance. Ella's hospitality and attention to detail when planning, preparing, and serving a meal, made everyone feel loved. This is a legacy her children will continue everyday as they prepare meals for friends and family.

But to really know Ella, you have to know about her marriage to her beloved. Theirs was a true partnership, with Ella serving as the bedrock for the family they would create together. She was the quiet, comforting calm that steadied them throughout their sixty-three yearlong marriage. But we will get back to the marriage in a bit. For now, let's start at the beginning.

Eleanor Mays was born in Jasper, Texas on September 6, 1941. Young Ella was the fourth, and last child of Winfrey Rushing Mays and Ernest Lee Mays. She was a welcome addition to her older siblings, John, Martha, and Mary, who was only Ella's senior by 20 months. The two of them were the "little girls" compared to John & Martha, who were "the oldest." She and her dear friend, Betty Ann Holmes Williams, were born on the same day and at the same hospital in Jasper. They were lucky enough to be in each other's lives from start to finish. Her sister Martha was also blessed to have known Ella from cradle to grave, as she is her last surviving sibling.

Ella and her family moved to Beaumont when she was in grade school, attending Longfellow Elementary, then Dick Dowling Jr. High, where she graduated as Salutatorian of her 9th grade class. From there she attended Beaumont High School, where she was a Royal Purples cheerleader, as well as a remarkable student. Although they didn't date in high school, she and her future husband graduated together in 1959.

After high school, Ella briefly attended the college of William and Mary, where she competed on the fencing team. She soon returned to Beaumont to attend Lamar University, where she joined her sister, Mary by becoming a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. This is where the love of her life, Charles Richard, "Dick," Sherron enters the story. Sister Mary and Dick had a class together and they became friends. The AChiO Spring Fling formal was coming up and Mary encouraged Ella to ask Dick. The date went well enough that Dick later invited her to a fraternity party held at the beach. Things were going fine when Ella was attacked by a massive Portuguese Man O'War that wrapped itself completely around her leg. In terrible pain, Ella ran and jumped into Dick's arms, knowing that he would take care of her. Dick said it hit him right then; he was in love with this beautiful, brave girl, who put her trust in him completely. Of course, being the future doctor that he was, he rushed her to the house and treated her wounds immediately. That became part of their relationship, Dick always, always, always took care of Ella. And she did exactly the same for him.

The romance began in 1960 and continued when they both transferred to Austin to study at the University of Texas. By September of 1962, they were engaged. At this time, Dick was in his first year of medical school at the University of Texas at Galveston, and Ella was finishing her BS in Medical Technology. Amidst the tense and terrifying days of the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, Ella and Dick made plans for their future. Originally set to marry over Christmas break, Dick proposed moving the date to Thanksgiving. Ella was delighted he was so eager to marry her, not knowing Dick had been offered a chance to hunt over a longer period at Christmas break.

They married at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m. on November 22, 1962, with a reception afterwards at her parents' home. That evening they left for a honeymoon in Dallas, Texas where they enjoyed a dinner of roasted duck which they fondly remembered over the years. Dick often prepared duck for Ella to celebrate this happy memory.

Over the next few years Ella & Dick welcomed their four children, Scott Richard Sherron, Kathryn Colleen Jackson, Gretchen Leigh Sherron, and Eleanor Paige Sherron Andrews. They rarely spent the night apart except for the eighteen months Dick was deployed in Viet Nam. They also moved from Galveston, to Hawaii, to Jasper, San Antonio, and Lake Jackson before finally returning to Beaumont for good in 1970.

During the next decade, Ella was a happy mother of four, helping support Dick while he built his medical practice. She ran carpools, volunteered at school, joined the Junior League, served on the Altar Guild at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, cooked, and played lots of tennis. She enjoyed sneaking away to Happy Hour at Cody's with her mother for a drink and a platter of nachos. She took up many hobbies such as playing guitar, needlepoint, knitting, and finally, because she was an overachiever, learning to weave on a loom that would fit in perfectly at Colonial Williamsburg. She especially enjoyed attending Pigeon Shoots with Dick, where she and her friends would have cocktails while the men shot, and if Dick won, she often came home with a new piece of jewelry. Throughout this social time in their lives, Ella always looked forward to time out in nature, hunting and fishing with Dick and the children. Out in the natural world, casual and at ease, was where she felt truly at peace.

Her preferences aligned perfectly with Dick's. His love of hunting and fishing became her love too. Wherever he went, on a deer stand, fishing boat, or dove hunt, that was where Ella wanted to be, too. She cheerfully joined in his adventures, becoming quite a good shot over the years.

With this love of the outdoors in common, Ella and Dick bought the old Boyt farmhouse just outside of town in the summer of 1978. There Dick could raise cattle, and Ella could have a massive vegetable garden, and a flock of Araucana chickens. They renovated the house to Ella's standards, including the kitchen of Ella's dreams, complete with a commercial refrigerator and stove, butcher block counters, and an extra-long kitchen island.

Oh, the meals she prepared in that kitchen, they were the stuff of legend. Dove and gravy, chicken and dumplings, authentic Chinese feasts, and steak and baked potatoes. Also, homemade croissants, countless flans, and her famous Chocolate Mousse Cake. Hosting, family, friends, cowboys, dove hunters, and anyone the children brought home. They were all welcome at Ella's table.

Slowly the children grew up and went off to college. During this time Ella worked as the bookkeeper in Dick's medical practice, and later for their business, StatCare, using her love of numbers to keep their businesses on track. Dick became more and more involved with the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association, and by extension, so did Ella. They attended Annual meetings and Summer Gatherings together. They increased their circle of friends in the cattle raising world and took up as a particular cause the Special Rangers commissioned by the TSCRA to investigate agriculture crime, including cattle theft.

By the early 90's the children started getting married and having children. Scott married the love of his life, Susy Brock Sherron, and together they added Emily Brock Sherron to the family. Colleen and her now ex-husband added Hannah Colleen Jackson, William Rushing Jackson, Charles Nicolas "Cole" Jackson, Maxwell Mays Jackson, and James Reasoner "Reese" Jackson. Gretchen and her former husband brought Truitt Powell Bjerke, Zoë Leigh Bjerke, Piper Sherron Bjerke, and Kellie Paxton Riley Bjerke into the mix. And finally, Paige and her devoted husband, Steven Lee Andrews, added their daughter Eleanor Carlton Andrews to the family.

And thus began Ella's next career, that of grandmother. Affectionately called Goose, as in Mother Goose, she was beyond proud to be a grandmother to this incredible brood. Her love for these children knew no bounds and she went out of her way to create special birthday parties, and holidays they would always remember. Every child has special memories of their "Goose" because she knew how to make the ordinary extraordinary. Days spent at the lake house or at the South Texas ranch were always filled with her loving attention, followed by a dinner with your favorite foods.

For the last years of her life, Ella was subjected to the indignity and unfairness that comes with dementia. She was so smart that she managed to charm or fake her way out of anyone noticing her growing deficits for years. Even when her condition advanced, she could turn on her manners, politely ask about someone's family, and they would come away completely unaware of her true situation. Throughout this time, Dick steadfastly cared for Ella. He cooked for her every day, making sure she got the chocolate malt or chocolate pie she craved with every meal. He ordered all the dresses she wanted from her beloved catalogs. He bought a rainbow selection of vests from Talbot's to keep her warm and stylish. Although his heart was breaking from slowly losing her companionship, he remained by her side until the very end. Never breaking his vow to take care of her, protect her, and love her.

The family is especially grateful to Falondia Manuel for her help over the last two and a half years, to keep Ella safe, happy, and keep her dignity intact. As Dick would tell his children, Falondia, or anyone who came to visit them, he would do anything to put a smile on her face. And in keeping with their love story, she saved her last smile for Dick and went to Heaven with him right by her side.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to TSCRA Special Ranger's Foundation, P.O. Box 101988, Fort Worth, Texas 76185.

A family graveside service was held for Ella at their ranch outside of Beaumont on Saturday, November 15, 2025, under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.