Sherry Upshaw Carter

Sherry Upshaw Carter, age 81, beloved mother, grandmother, cousin, and friend died surrounded by her family after a long courageous fought battle with dementia on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. A funeral service at 2:00pm, Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Haskell. Rev. Mike Harkrider will be officiating. A visitation is planned from 1:00pm until the service. Burial will follow the service at the Willow Cemetery in Haskell under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Haskell.

Sherry was born in Haskell, Texas on March 17, 1943, to Raymond and Estelle Burson. She was the second of four children.  Growing up, she was always with her siblings and her cousins having fun on the farm. After graduating from Haskell High School, Sherry attended Hardin Simmons University where she received her education degree.  She then married Larry Upshaw.  The two of them were blessed with 3 wonderful daughters Susan, Stephanie, and Sarah. Sherry spent 30 years in education positively influencing so many young lives. While teaching English at Sweetwater High School, she oversaw the yearbook and the school newspaper. Anytime there was a game or school event, you would find Sherry on the sideline with a couple of cameras around her neck. Later, she received a master's degree in counseling from Angelo State University and became the school counselor for Eden ISD. Kids were her passion. Her motto was, "What can I do to make a positive influence in the life of a child?"

Sherry enjoyed loving her kids and grandchildren, cooking, gardening, and taking care of the people around her.  She was always eager to bake cookies and cakes for everyone. Her chocolate chip cookies and peach cobbler were simply the best.  She loved growing roses and sharing them with her neighbors.  She loved working and sitting in her beautiful yard.  In her early years, her love for painting was strong and will always be treasured by her loved ones. Sherry has always been involved with the church, teaching Sunday school and leading women's prayer groups. Community involvement was a strong passion of hers. When there was someone in need, she was the first one in line to help; it could be a place to stay, food or new clothes. She shared agape love with all she met. Her unconditional love for others and her willingness to put their needs first is something her family will always cherish. Through each of them, her strong love will continue.

Sherry's love for her kids and grandkids was always apparent.  She would do anything for all of them.  She was at every sporting event, school function, and at anything where they were involved. She loved supporting them in all things.  Sherry was extremely passionate about her family and shared that with everyone she met.

Later, Sherry married Chick Carter. The two were married for 10 years and were always involved with their Sunday school class. They enjoyed many adventures together.  After being diagnosed with dementia, she moved into Lyndale Memory Care where she continued to love and positively influence the people around her with her contagious smile and sense of humor.

Sherry is preceded in death by her husband, Chick Carter, her parents, Raymond and Estelle Burson, her sister Wanda Rogers and husband Jon, her brother Tim Burson and wife Linda, and her brother Tony Burson.

She is survived by her daughters Susan Wood and husband Dewayne from Stephenville, TX, Stephanie Upshaw and Linda Arnold from Arlington, TX, and Sarah Kalina and husband Roger from Miles, TX.

She is survived by her four grandchildren Madison Freeman and husband Dillon, Ragan Wood, Baines Kalina, Hattie Kalina, and her soon-to-be great grandchild Mollie Freeman.  She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Sherry's daughters would like to say a special thank you to all the precious staff at Lyndale Memory Care and Kinder Hearts Hospice Care for their love and compassion for Sherry.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.