Sarah Sherrer

Sarah Diane (Williams) Sherrer, 46, died on April 24, 2021 in Durant, Oklahoma.  Sarah was born June 21, 1974 in Denton, TX, to Rick and Susan Williams. Sarah is preceded in death by her father, Rick Williams.  Sarah married Danny Sherrer, of Durant, Okla. in 2004 and are the very lucky parents of Lauren Sherrer.  

At a very young age Sarah had a passion for learning; she strived to be the best in her class. While her sister, Lacy, was exploring outdoors and fishing, Sarah always had her nose in a book. This paid off at age 16, when she was selected to the Inaugural class of the prestigious Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, from which she graduated in 1992. She was also an Honorary graduate of Battiest High School that same year. She attended Oklahoma State University and was a proud Cowpoke! Sarah continued on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Sarah loved her work and was incredibly driven. She went from an entry-level Lab Tech to Budget Compliance Administrator, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Director and then rose to the position of City Manager of Durant, a town in which she dearly loved, in 13 short years. She took great pride in her work and in her city. She was a wonderful teacher and leader. In addition to being a dedicated wife, mother and city employee, she devoted significant volunteer hours to the community by sitting on several boards.

She won many awards recognizing her excellence over the many years, including being selected to be one of the first annual recipients of the Chuck Smith Fellowship, Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group.  Sarah appreciated the investment of the state of Oklahoma made in her education and feels it is worthwhile to find innovative ways to contribute to her community.

She would tell her friend Michelle, “If I ever won the lottery, I would use the money and invest it in the city of Durant.”

Those who knew Sarah would describe her as a raconteur, someone with quick wit and a dry sense of humor. One of her many gifts was the uncanny ability to find humor in just about any scenario. She could take the most difficult situation and make it seem lighter and bring a smile to those who needed it most. She was a comedic genius.

There was so much more to her than her humor, though. Sarah was passionate about her people. She loved so deeply. She had a habit of showing up for friends and family at exactly the right time. She knew when we needed her; she was a true empath. She seemed to always know exactly what to say when someone was feeling down, and she jumped at the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of those she loved. She was our biggest fan.

Her most prized possession in her life was her family.  She lived to travel with Danny and Lauren. She wanted to show and experience the world with them. And, she did. She poured her heart and soul into being a mother. She loved Lauren fiercely and was so proud of her, referring to Lauren as “my biggest contribution to the world, my most important work, the heroine of my life.” Sarah spoke often of her love and appreciation for her dear husband, Danny, calling him the greatest decision in her life.

We’ll close with a joke only Sarah could tell, “I’ve been a devoted daughter, a loving wife, a comforting mother, a dedicated worker, a true and loyal friend, and a spoiling dog mother. And if you don’t believe it, just ask me. Oh wait, I’m afraid it’s too late for questions. Sorry about that.”

She was the favorite daughter-in-law of Leon Sherrer, who preceded her in death.

Sarah is survived by and will be sorely missed by her sister, Lacy Williams Thomson of Bethel, Okla.; her nephews: Alex Phillips, Trey Thomson, and Ethan Thomson.  Sarah is also survived by Lauren’s brother:  Aaron Sherrer and his wife Mellissa and their children Emma and Marlee all of Durant, Okla.; her niece Dawn Hogue, and her husband Russell and their children Macy & Kyle of McKinney, TX; and also many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who love her dearly.

There will be a family hour visitation at the Holmes-Coffey-Murray funeral home on Thursday, April 29 from 7-8 p.m. Sarah’s funeral service will be Friday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, with James Robinson officiating.

The service will be live-streamed on the Facebook page of the Holmes-Coffey-Murray funeral home.

Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla. www.holmescoffeymurray.com