Sherilyn Elisa Smith

Sherilyn Elisa Smith, 55, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2014 at home. She was born on April 14, 1959 in New York, NY. She grew up in Christiansted, St. Croix USVI where she resided for 12 years with her beloved grandparents, Sonny and Evadney Watson. She left the island after graduating from St. Dunstan’s Episcopal School with the high honor of Valedictorian to pursue her college education at Pamona College in Claremont, California. She later earned a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California in 1981 and a Masters in Rehabilitative Counseling from Florida State University in 1987. Always an advocate for social service and helping those with disabilities, she worked in numerous capacities throughout her career serving as a Social Worker, a Counselor for Disabled Students at Florida State University Graduate School, an Advocacy Counselor and the Victim Services Coordinator at Ability 1st, a program affiliated with the Attorney General’s Office for Persons of Domestic Violence, just to name a few. Throughout her illustrious career as a social servant, she was responsible for obtaining many grants that provided the funding of various enrichment program for victims of domestic violence. She was very instrumental in empowering the program participants and enabling them to transition into society as productive citizens. She also provided support counseling and assisted in transitional housing placements for the women at the Refuge House. Affectionately known as Sheri, she will always be remembered fondly as a person who was genuinely concerned for others and who always went above and beyond the call of duty to help others in need. She was warm, loving, kind, generous, nurturing, caring and funny. She served as a faithful servant at her church, Blessed Sacrament, for many years and was Chairperson of the Saint Catherine Guild. She is survived by her lovely daughter Emma, parents Mrs. Lorna Smith and the late Randolph Smith (Dada Bobby) of St. Thomas, USVI, sister Stephanie Baker (Renard) of Windsor Mill, Maryland, brother Shelton Smith (Ida) of Swanee, GA, sister Sharleen Smith of Washington, DC, childhood best-friend formerly of St. Croix, USVI, since 1st grade, Adele Grant of East Orange, NJ, nephew Sven Riviera-Smith(Steffany) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, nieces Allyssa Baker and McKenzie Smith, uncle Rawle Watson (Rita) and sons of St. Croix, USVI, uncle Louis Hassell (Florine) and family of Decatur, GA, other family and friends too numerous to mention. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 624 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308, with Father Tim Holeda officiating. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfh.com, 850-385-2193) is assisting the family with her arrangements.

Tributes

Sherilyn Elisa Smith

April 14, 1959 - December 19, 2014