Sherri Ann Stanley

Sherri Ann Keaton Stanley was the first-born daughter blessed to the union of Elmon “Pete” Keaton and Billie West Odum of Waco, Texas.

Sherri confessed her faith in God at an early age at Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where she attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She continued to serve the Lord as an adult at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas. At Concord, Sherri was an active member, serving on the Prayer Team and participating in the Worship and Fine Arts Ministry. Upon returning to Waco, she continued her walk with the Lord as a member of Pleasant Olive Baptist Church. One of her greatest joys was singing in the Women’s Day Choir each year and working on the Women’s Day Program Committee.

Sherri attended schools in the Waco Public School System: Dripping Springs and Brook Avenue Elementary Schools, West Junior High School, and Waco High School. While in high school, she was a member of the Waco High Spirit Team and sang soprano in the Waco High School Chorus. On December 18, 1976, Sherri was presented as a 5th Bi-Annual Debutante by the Waco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, along with 26 other young women.

She graduated from Waco High School in 1975 and pursued higher education at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas. Sherri married in March of 1981 and later completed her studies at Paul Quinn College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work in May 1981.

Sherri’s professional career began at Head Start of Greater Dallas, where she utilized her management and social work skills to make a lasting impact on students and families at the Wynwood Head Start location in the Oak Cliff community. As a Site Manager of the center, she organized community health fairs, family fun days, and connected families to vital services such as housing, food assistance, and medical care. She also supported early childhood education by promoting learning through play, early literacy and numeracy, and social-emotional development for Pre-K students.

Sherri was preceded in death by her parents, Elmon “Pete” Keaton and Billie Louise Odum.

She leaves to cherish her memory three loving sisters: Katrina Robinson (Franklin), Demetra Coleman (Alfred), and Denita Odum (Edward); nieces and nephews: Amber Dawn Gibson (Wynton), Lauren Nicole Manning (Kenny), Sean Reynolds Odum, and Cornelius Gillespie Coleman; great-niece and nephews: Wynter Lanell Manning, Sebastian Michael Manning, and Elijah Thomas Gibson; her devoted aunt, Delores Scott Vaughn; special cousins: Frank Arthur West, Jr., Gary Scott, and Elvia Scott; exceptional friend for over 50 years, Elsie Jackson and a host of other relatives and friends.