Sherrill Lynn Gomes

Family and friends mourn the loss of Sherrill Lynn Gomes, who passed away on February 18, 2026. She was 64 years old.

Sherrill was born on August 24, 1961, at Peralta Hospital in Oakland, California, to Charles "Charlie" Gomes and Sandra (Thomas) Gomes. Her roots began in the Turlock and Hilmar area, where her parents had grown up and married in 1959. From the very beginning, she was known for her bright, smiley eyes and her loving nature.

When Sherrill was four years old, her father passed away in a motorcycle accident. She carried his memory close to her heart, always. Even after his passing, she treasured the time she was able to spend with her Gomes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, holding those connections dear throughout her life.

She was raised in Turlock by her Grandma Marie Thomas, who was the heart of the family. Surrounded by her mom, little "Sissy" Yvette, aunts, uncles, and many cousins on the family dairy in west Turlock, Sherrill's childhood moved to the steady rhythm of country life with cows mooing at dawn, the clink of the mangers, and a view of the Coastal Range in the distance. She learned to drive a John Deere almost as soon as she could walk and loved the unmistakable smell of fresh silage in the early morning air. Mornings started early, and days were full. Sherrill attended Mt. View and Chatom schools, where she made lifelong friends she stayed in contact with throughout her life, and she graduated from Turlock High School. She also attended beauty school and became the go-to for family haircuts. She was the oldest of 18 grandchildren in the Thomas clan.

Around her Grandma Marie Thomas' kitchen table, family gathered for meals and stories, laughter and shenanigans. Grandma Thomas' hugs, steady guidance, and quiet strength shaped Sherrill's life. Grandma Thomas' love was a foundation Sherrill never forgot. She learned from her how to celebrate holidays and make every occasion special. Those early years instilled in her the love of family and the joy of bringing people together. After Grandma Thomas passed in 1982, Sherrill always carried her in her heart.

In 1979, at just 18 years old, Sherrill married Manuel Costa. In 1983, they welcomed their son, Evo Costa, who became the center of her world and her proudest accomplishment. She was protective of Evo and endlessly proud of the man he became. If anyone ever needed anything fixed, built, or figured out, she was quick to say, "Call Evo," proudly referring to him as her man of all trades. Over time, their relationship grew closer, deepening into a strong bond built on love, loyalty, and mutual respect.

During those early adult years, Sherrill had a variety of occupations. She tested cows in the early mornings, returning to the barns and routines she had known as a girl. She later moved into clerical and communication roles, where her organizational skills and ability to connect with people made her a natural. She was especially proud of her time at the Stanislaus County Bankruptcy Court and the friendships she built there.

Later in life, she married Mike Sears. Together they built a trucking business as owner operators. Sherrill earned her Class A license and took to the road alongside Mike, embracing the independence and challenge of the work. She also worked as a dispatcher for trucking companies, always embracing the challenge of keeping schedules straight and trucks moving.

Sherrill was proud of her Portuguese heritage and kept those traditions alive. She made Portuguese beans, sopas, and Portuguese couves (kale) soup and believed no one should leave her home hungry. She often recreated many of her Grandma Marie Thomas's treasured recipes, including her green Jello salad with walnuts, her special pumpkin pies, and carried on the tradition of making fruitcake during the holidays.

Her home reflected who she was, warm, welcoming, and always splashed with cow décor, a sweet nod to the dairy roots she never forgot. It was the kind of place where family gathered, laughter filled the rooms, and everyone felt comfortable staying awhile.

Sherrill loved animals wholeheartedly. No dog ever went to the pound on her watch. For a time, she also raised Labrador Retrievers, with Jet and Jenny always in her heart. She bred dachshunds for many years, and over that time she found many loving homes for them while many others found a loving home with her.

When she and Mike began trucking together, her beloved doxies, Frankie and Fast Freddie, joined them on the road as faithful companions. In the final years of her life, she had what she lovingly called her "hot dog pile up," a house full of dachshunds, including her "big dog" rescues Lou Lou, Blackie, Red, and Jackie.

Sherrill was memorable in so many ways. Always stepping out in style, with sunglasses in place, stylish clothes, and perfectly coiffed hair, she once earned the nickname "Hollywood" from her stepfather, Joao. She loved to laugh, called the people she cared about Honey Bunny, and if she loved you, she spoiled you. "Go big or go home" was not just something she said, it was how she lived. She was a true giver, always going out of her way to bring joy to those she loved. She loved butterflies, sunsets, the color pink, teddy bears, and country music. She loved all things beautiful and cute, a testament to her always being a big kid at heart.

We take comfort in imagining Sherrill welcomed into heaven by Jesus, reunited with her Daddy Charlie, Grandma Marie Thomas, and Mom Sandy. She is surrounded by the loved ones she missed so dearly, embraced in joy, laughter, and love. Whenever we remember her, we can hear her voice in the words of the poem she always shared when thinking of those who had passed away:

"When tomorrow starts without me,

don't think we're far apart,

for every time you think of me,

I'm right here in your heart."

We are certain that is the message she is sending to us now. Though her presence is no longer with us in body, her spirit shines in every memory, every smile, and every act of kindness she inspired. She will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles "Charlie" Gomes; her mother, Sandra Thomas Afonso; her maternal grandparents, Tony and Marie Thomas; her paternal grandparents, Henry and Mary Gomes; and her stepfathers, Joao Afonso and Poppa Joe Fagundes.

She is survived by her son, Evo Costa; her husband, Mike Sears; her former husband, Manuel Costa; her brother, Dave Jones and his wife Kim; her sister, Yvette Fagundes Hall; her nieces, Susannah and Lily Hall; her "sister cousin," Vikki Thomas; her large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins; her friends; and her many furbabies.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, followed by a Recitation of the Rosary and Celebration of Life from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA 95380 in the Main Chapel.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2602 S. Walnut Rd., Turlock, CA 95380. Following the service, Sherrill will be laid to rest at Turlock Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, and in honoring Sherrill's love for animals, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance. You may visit https://oakdaleshelterpetalliance.org/donate-1 or mail donations to "OSPA," P.O. Box 1965, Oakdale, CA 95361.