Sylvia Sherrod passed away on Sunday afternoon February 7, 2016 at Meadow Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomingdale at the age of 98. She was born Sylvia North Bailey in Hartford, on December 8, 1917, to Hazel (North) and Frank Bailey and grew up in Paw Paw. She was united in marriage on June 28, 1940 to Frank William Sherrod who preceded her in death on February 3, 1991. Together they raised four children in Paw Paw: William Sherrod (Judy), Suzanne Cramer (Richard), Deb Sherrod (Sheryl Judd) and Bailey North (Lon Reinbold). She leaves behind five grandchildren: Lisa Cramer James (Byron), Andy Sherrod, Brooke Sherrod Jaeky (Matt), Michael Sherrod (Laura) and Tami Cramer Burt (Daron), ten great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. She is survived by all her children and five nieces and nephews by marriage. In 1919 scarlet fever took her only sibling, her six year old sister, Doris Bailey. After gaining a teaching certificate from Western State Teacher's College in 1939, Sylvia taught at several area rural schools until 1952. She returned to work in 1965 at Michigan Avenue School as a kindergarten aide and eventually managed the libraries of all three elementary schools in the Paw Paw Public School system. In 1973 Sylvia started work at the Paw Paw Public Library and retired from there in 1983. She loved raising and teaching children and always enjoyed the young families who visited her in the library. After their retirements she and Frank traveled extensively, camping in Michigan and all around the western United States. She enjoyed crafts such as knitting, counted cross stitch and building miniature furniture. She especially delighted in sewing doll clothes for her children and grandchildren. She and Frank instilled a deep love of books in their children and it was rare to catch them or any of their family at home without a book open or close at hand.
She was the sun to our little solar system and we will miss her.
The family plans to welcome the public to a celebration of her life in the latter part of June, when all are able to attend. Donations in her name may be made to Paw Paw District Library, Hospice of SW MI, and the activities fund at Meadow Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Share a memory or sign the guestbook at:www.adamspawpaw.com