- May 8, 1968 - March 7, 2021
- Royse City, Texas
of Sherry's Passing
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2343 Lake Rd.
Lavon,
TX
75166
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“I knew Sherry at Western Oaks Elementary when she first began teaching. I can say she is truly everything everyone has said about her. Kind,...Read More »
”
1 of 19 | Posted by: Laura Ivy - Bethany, OK - Friend
“Zane, we grieve with you in the loss of Sherry. What a sweet, kind spirit she had. She had such an easy going personality. We had many trips together...Read More »
”
2 of 19 | Posted by: Rita McClain - Bethany, OK
“I am so sad to read of the loss of Sherry. I first met Sherry in Caravans at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. We were both in elementary...Read More »
”
3 of 19 | Posted by: Mary Worthan Lukaszek - OK
“I had the privilege of being the small group leader for Sherry in the junior high youth group at Bethany First Church. Sherry, Laura, Jennifer and...Read More »
”
4 of 19 | Posted by: Karen Allen - Yukon, OK - Friend
“Zane I am so sorry for your loss Sherry was a wonderful and kind person my prayers are going out to you and the kids and all of your family
”
5 of 19 | Posted by: Lynnette Gable - Las Vegas, NV
“Hey Zane, This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You...Read More »
”
6 of 19 | Posted by: Susan Smith - Henderson, NV
“Hey Zane,This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You are...Read More »
”
7 of 19 | Posted by: Susan Smith - Henderson, NV
“I've had the pleasure of knowing Sherry for almost 20 years! She and her husband Zane gave me my first job as a babysitter to their two children,...Read More »
”
8 of 19 | Posted by: Kate McPherson-Johnson - TX
“Many of us have been reflecting on our former co-worker and dear friend, Sherry McGarraugh Stapp. We used to tease Sherry and call her the...Read More »
”
9 of 19 | Posted by: Sara Reeves - Rockwall, TX
“So many people have commented about your ability to teach reading - and that was an amazing skill. But you also also taught our children in your...Read More »
”
10 of 19 | Posted by: Angela Minton - Richardson, TX
“I remember the first time I took you guys a meal shortly after Sherry had the first surgery on her leg. I always loved visiting with Sherry and went...Read More »
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11 of 19 | Posted by: Gloria Nelson - Nevada, TX
“I will never forget, Kindergarten went from half day to full day, thus requiring another Kindergarten teacher at Dartmouth Elementary. Being one year...Read More »
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12 of 19 | Posted by: Aimee Loderus - Austin, TX
“Bless you all at this time.
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13 of 19 | Posted by: Sherry Pierce - Mckenzie, TN
“Many of us have been reflecting on our former co-worker and dear friend, Sherry McGarraugh Stapp. We used to tease Sherry and call her the...Read More »
”
14 of 19 | Posted by: Sara Reeves - Rockwall, TX
“Dear Zane,I am so sorry to hear of Sherry's passing. She sounded like a remarkable lady. I know she was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. ...Read More »
”
15 of 19 | Posted by: Melinda Lewis Lewis - Wylie, TX
“Sherry was ALWAYS a source of encouragement. It was my joy and honor to call her friend. I was honored to be a part of a text group that she was in....Read More »
”
16 of 19 | Posted by: RuthAnn Riggle - Wylie, TX
“It was so sad to hear that Sherry McGarraugh Stapp has passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a wonderful educator, coworker and friend...Read More »
”
17 of 19 | Posted by: Dawn Krahl - Rockwall, TX
“Sherry was an amazing woman of God, a selfless co worker, and a dear friend. She will be missed on this side of heaven.
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18 of 19 | Posted by: Cathy Malone - Pilot Point, TX
“She was so loved and will be so missed. Sherry was always so kind to others. You could just sit next her and feel the grace coming off of her. And...Read More »
”
19 of 19 | Posted by: Faith Hanson - Bethany, OK
Sherry Lynn Stapp was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 8th, 1968 passed away Sunday March 7th, 2021. Sherry is the daughter of Ron and Carolyn McGarraugh who are still living. Sherry grew up in Bethany, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Lloyd and Marie McGarraugh of Perryton Texas and Charles and Juanita Sherrill of Bethany Oklahoma. She is survived by her husband Zane, daughter Carissa and son in law Chris Small, their two girls Nora and Xaryah, her son Westin, her brother Steve McGarraugh, his wife lilly, and sister Susan, with her husband Johnathon and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends that she loved.
Sherry grew up in Bethany as a member of the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, graduated high school from Putnam City West High School in 1986 and studied early childhood education at Southern Nazarene University graduating in 1990. Upon graduation she began her career as a Title I reading teacher at Western Oaks Elementary. The same school she attended as a child.
In February 1991 Bobbie the computer matched Sherry up with Zane Stapp on a phone dating service. This was before internet dating had yet to be thought of. The first time they connected they talked for over 4 hours and agreed to meet on Saturday. Zane cooked dinner for Sherry at her apartment and she made him chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Once they were married Zane would cook and Sherry would bake for the next 28 years.
After dating for 6 months Zane asked Ron if it was okay to ask Sherry to marry him. Ron gave his blessing, and on a rainy night after a date Zane asked Sherry "the scary question." Zane had secretly hidden her ring inside her apartment to keep it safe. He took her on the balcony to watch the rain and got down on one knee and she said yes.
They were married a year later on June, 19th 1992 at Bethany First Church. They honeymooned in Minnesota and fished. Sherry and Zane were fishing buddies their entire marriage. They rented a tiny rent house in Bethany and Sherry continued to work as a teacher while Zane finished college and sold cars. Three months into their marriage, on the day after Zane's 23rd birthday, Sherry showed up at Zane's work with a happy birthday balloon and a card that read "Happy Birthday Daddy, Mommy did not know I was here until today". Sherry and Zane would have their first child. About four months later they would buy a bigger house and move to Yukon Oklahoma to bring their daughter home. So on June 19th,1993, on their one year wedding anniversary, Sherry gave birth to their daughter Carissa Lenae Stapp. The best anniversary present ever.
Zane would graduate college from Central Oklahoma and begin teaching and coaching for Moore Public Schools. After about 4 years, knowing their family was not complete they decided to have another child. Sherry became pregnant and so once again they would move and bought a house in Oklahoma City near Hefner golf course. Both Zane and Sherry enjoyed golfing together throughout their lives. On February 20th, 1998 Westin Coleman Stapp was born. Now their family was complete.
One Sunday after church in the summer of 1999 Zane was reading the newspaper at Ron and Carolyn's house and he saw an advertisement for science teachers needed in Richardson Texas. So Zane called and found out they also needed a wrestling coach and had a Reading Recovery job for Sherry. So later that week they would interview in Richardson while taking turns taking care of Westin. Sherry was hired on the spot so that made Zane's job a slam dunk. While in Richardson they wandered into the Richardson Church of the Nazarene and got a referral for child care for Westin and found their church home for the next 22 years. So in a 2 week time period God had literally picked them up and moved them to Texas.
Shortly after moving Sherry and Zane would buy a house on Shamrock Place in Richardson. Both children would go through RISD and graduate from Berkner High School. Sherry would teach at 3 schools in Richardson ISD finding her home at Dartmouth Elementary down the street from their house. This is where she earned the nickname the kindergarten whisper and was named teacher of the year for the school. Recognizing the countless hours and effort she put into her students. She would teach at Dartmouth until Zane got a job in Pilot Point in 2016.
The couple did not stay in Pilot Point very long but made lifelong friends along the way. While in Pilot Point they attended Gracepoint Nazarene Church which is on the site of the first original Nazarene Church started in the late 1800's. After only 2 years, they moved to their current home in Royse City Texas. Sherry taught pre-k in Pilot Point and taught Kindergarten at Springer Elementary in Rockwall ISD. During her first year at Springer she was named teacher of the month recognizing the master teacher she was. Every stop along the way Sherry made an impact on the staff she worked with, and the kids she taught. God gave her the gift of hospitality and she used it. She cared for others more than she cared for herself and she made lifelong friends not just close acquaintances.
Two of the most special people she cared for were her grandchildren Nora and Xaryah Small. She enjoyed spending time with them, playing games, doing dress up, and especially teaching Nora to read. Despite the cancer being aggressive, and Sherry going through radiation in 2020, she did online schooling with Nora so she would have a great start to her kindergarten year. Because of this Nora is reading and writing and just like all of Sherry's students she had the kindergarten whisperer right beside her guiding her the whole way.
While at Dartmouth In 2010 Sherry would be
continued...diagnosed with breast cancer the first time. They caught it early and after having a mastectomy everything seemed fine, but this cancer would later return in 2019. This time It had spread to her hip bone and so after having surgery in 2019 Sherry would have to retire from teaching. She would spend the next 15 months fighting this cancer and never gave up. She tried multiple treatments and nothing seemed to work. On Friday March 5th Sherry would go in for an outpatient procedure that seemed harmless. However, it caused her blood pressure to drop and her body being weakened by cancer and chemo she never fully recovered. She passed away peacefully on the evening of March 7th, 2021 with her family nearby and Zane and Carissa holding her hand.
For many the story stops there, but with Sherry her faith in Jesus Christ was what got her through all the tough times. She had such a close relationship with God that He had told her on her birthday in 2020 that this would be her last one here on earth. For some that would be scary. She fought the cancer so she could be with those she loved as long as possible. However, she was far from scared of dying. So as we have immense pain for our loss, Sherry is now pain free in heaven. As we grieve the loss of a dear daughter, sister, wife, mother, bammy and friend to anyone she met, just know that she is now smiling in heaven and she still loves you.
Visitation
March 10, 2021
12:00 PM
to 4:00 PM
Charles W. Smith Chapel
2343 Lake Road
Lavon, TX 75166
(972) 843-4000
Send Flowers
Funeral Service
March 11, 2021
11:00 AM
Richardson Church of the Nazarene
2102 E. Renner Road
Richardson, TX 75082
(214) 570-5600
Send Flowers
I knew Sherry at Western Oaks Elementary when she first began teaching. I can say she is truly everything everyone has said about her. Kind, generous, caring, and such a lovely woman and teacher. Her students, coworkers, and friends were so fortunate to have her in their lives. She will be greatly missed, and made a huge impact on all she knew. Sending ❤ to her family.
Posted by: Laura Ivy - Bethany, OK - Friend Mar 13, 2021
Zane, we grieve with you in the loss of Sherry. What a sweet, kind spirit she had. She had such an easy going personality. We had many trips together in our youth group.
Posted by: Rita McClain - Bethany, OK - Friend Mar 11, 2021
I am so sad to read of the loss of Sherry. I first met Sherry in Caravans at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. We were both in elementary school. Her mom, Carolyn was our Caravan leader. I loved Sherry and Mrs. McGarraugh from the first meeting. Sherry was so sweet, friendly, and welcoming and so was her mom. I remember using pre-made biscuits from a can to make the shape of a bunny rabbit and so many other fun
I am so sad to read of the loss of Sherry. I first met Sherry in Caravans at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. We were both in elementary school. Her mom, Carolyn was our Caravan leader. I loved Sherry and Mrs. McGarraugh from the first meeting. Sherry was so sweet, friendly, and welcoming and so was her mom. I remember using pre-made biscuits from a can to make the shape of a bunny rabbit and so many other fun and creative things with the Sherry and Mrs. McGarraugh. Please take care of yourselves as Sherry would want you to do. Love endures forever and that is our comfort. -Mary Worthan Lukaszek
Posted by: Mary Worthan Lukaszek - Oklahoma City, OK - Friend Mar 11, 2021
I had the privilege of being the small group leader for Sherry in the junior high youth group at Bethany First Church. Sherry, Laura, Jennifer and Gina were all part of the small group. I remember sleep ins at my house and times of just watching these precious young ladies search for their selves and strengthening their relationships with Christ. Sherry's smile and laughter has always remained a memorable feature. To know that she knew and walked with the Father is the dream of every youth worker. See ya later Sherry...job well done.
Posted by: Karen Allen - Yukon, OK - Friend Mar 11, 2021
Zane I am so sorry for your loss Sherry was a wonderful and kind person my prayers are going out to you and the kids and all of your family
Posted by: Lynnette Gable - Las Vegas, NV - Friend Mar 10, 2021
Hey Zane, This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You are such a dear friend of mine.
I remember meeting your wife for the first time one evening when Ben Lurie and I met you two at the bowling alley in the Gold Coast. It was obvious then that you two would be together forever. You hadn't been dating too long
Hey Zane, This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You are such a dear friend of mine.
I remember meeting your wife for the first time one evening when Ben Lurie and I met you two at the bowling alley in the Gold Coast. It was obvious then that you two would be together forever. You hadn't been dating too long but the way you looked at each other....you could tell it was true love from the start.
I'm praying for you and the rest of your family for strength and peace.
Thinking about you.....
Susan
Posted by: Susan Smith - Henderson, NV - Friend Mar 10, 2021
Hey Zane,
This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You are such a dear friend of mine.
I remember meeting your wife for the first time one evening when Ben Lurie and I met you two at the bowling alley in the Gold Coast. It was obvious then that you two would be together forever. You hadn't been dating too long but
Hey Zane,
This is Susan (Squire) Smith. I am sooo sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife. I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. You are such a dear friend of mine.
I remember meeting your wife for the first time one evening when Ben Lurie and I met you two at the bowling alley in the Gold Coast. It was obvious then that you two would be together forever. You hadn't been dating too long but the way you looked at each other....you could tell it was true love from the start.
I'm praying for you and the rest of your family for strength and peace.
Thinking about you.....
Susan
Posted by: Susan Smith - Henderson, NV - Friend Mar 10, 2021
I've had the pleasure of knowing Sherry for almost 20 years! She and her husband Zane gave me my first job as a babysitter to their two children, Carissa and Westin. I babysitter for them for many years and have had the pleasure to see the family grow as time went on. I have several fond memories of Sherry. There wasn't a soul on this earth who she didn't love. Sherry use to make blueberry cheesecakes for the kids. They
I've had the pleasure of knowing Sherry for almost 20 years! She and her husband Zane gave me my first job as a babysitter to their two children, Carissa and Westin. I babysitter for them for many years and have had the pleasure to see the family grow as time went on. I have several fond memories of Sherry. There wasn't a soul on this earth who she didn't love. Sherry use to make blueberry cheesecakes for the kids. They had to have a special kind so Sherry would always make me a separate one so I could snack along with the kids. And boy were they delicious! Because I was a teen at that time, Zane and Sherry became like parents to me. Zane was already one of my school teachers, but they loved me like I was one of their own. Sherry even taught me how to drive! She would let me drive the van when she was taking me home and teach me all sorts of lessons. To this day, I still mention her by name whenever I do something in the car that she taught me. I will cherish all my memories with Sherry. I loved her very much and she will remain a piece of my heart forever.
Posted by: Kate McPherson-Johnson - Richardson, TX - Family Mar 10, 2021
Many of us have been reflecting on our former co-worker and dear friend, Sherry McGarraugh Stapp. We used to tease Sherry and call her the kindergarten whisperer because she had such a way with children. Really, we should have called her the adult whisperer, too, because she had such a calming spirit. You couldn't be around Sherry and have a bad day at the same time because she wouldn't allow it. She saw the bright side of everything. She always
Many of us have been reflecting on our former co-worker and dear friend, Sherry McGarraugh Stapp. We used to tease Sherry and call her the kindergarten whisperer because she had such a way with children. Really, we should have called her the adult whisperer, too, because she had such a calming spirit. You couldn't be around Sherry and have a bad day at the same time because she wouldn't allow it. She saw the bright side of everything. She always went out of her way to check on those around her. Zane Stapp and Sherry were a package deal- in fact, I remember meeting him up at the school before Sherry could get there because she wanted a head start on the curriculum so he picked them up for her. Zane spent many hours up at school helping her (and us!) and their love for one another was evident. I am blessed to have known Sherry as an educator and as a person. Her faith in the Lord was strong and she loved to share His faithfulness to her with others. She made a huge difference in the lives of many including my own. The picture below is when she was chosen by our staff as staff member of the month. It was her first year with us which again shows the big impact she made in a short time.
Posted by: Sara Reeves - Rockwall, TX - Coworker Mar 10, 2021
So many people have commented about your ability to teach reading - and that was an amazing skill. But you also also taught our children in your charge to accept and recognize their daily action's impact on other's feelings. I will never forget the time you took a plain piece of white paper and crumpled it in your hand and then tried to smooth it out as best you could. You said, "Will this piece of paper ever be the
So many people have commented about your ability to teach reading - and that was an amazing skill. But you also also taught our children in your charge to accept and recognize their daily action's impact on other's feelings. I will never forget the time you took a plain piece of white paper and crumpled it in your hand and then tried to smooth it out as best you could. You said, "Will this piece of paper ever be the same?" Wow. That is teaching at a level beyond what we expect or hope for. You were an angel, Sherry. I will miss you terribly.
Posted by: Angela Minton - Richardson, TX - Friend Mar 09, 2021