Obituary of Mary Lou Ingram Sherrill

Mary Lou Ingram Sherrill, beloved wife, devoted mother, and faithful Episcopalian, died Saturday, June 27, 2020. She was 83. Born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1937, Mary Lou graduated from the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She fell in love with dogs and horses early on, a passion she enjoyed for decades. She earned her associate's degree from Bennett College. She met her very beloved late husband of 47 years, James Lynah Sherrill, at Cornell and married in 1957. She organized multiple family moves before deciding to make Chattanooga home, settling on Signal Mountain. She was passionate about Windy Top Farm, managing horses and cattle, growing corn, hay, vegetables and flowers. She ran a tight ship on the farm, instilling values of hard work, responsibility, patience and commitment. She was known for reminding her brood that “sleep is sloth.” For Mary Lou, or “Mairsie” as she was called by her grandchildren, family was paramount. She organized memorable holiday celebrations, picnics and overnight trail riding trips. She was fiercely loyal and protective of her family and took pride in seeing her children and their children grow up. Mairsie was a faithful congregant at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She volunteered at the church, always offering a kind smile or hug to whomever she met. Her 37 years volunteering at St. Barnabas Senior Living Services gave her the most satisfaction. In 2006, Mairsie received the Tennessee Health Care Association's Individual Volunteer Award for demonstrating an exemplary spirit of volunteerism. Mairsie loved golf, Western movies, and British shows. She read avidly and dearly enjoyed membership in the Friday Study Club. Many residents will remember her and her last faithful four-legged companion, “Angus,” and their walks in the park in North Chattanooga. Mairsie is survived by her children, Christine “Chris” (John) Vass, Chattanooga; Polly Ann Sherrill, Atlanta, Georgia; James Lynah “Jim” Sherrill Jr., Chickamauga, Georgia; Jeffery “Jeff” Ingram (Kristal) Sherrill, Chattanooga; Mary Catherine “Caty” Goidel, Signal Mountain; grandchildren John Sharp "Jay" Vass III, Franklin, Tennessee; James Lynah Sherrill III, Washington, D.C.; Andy Goidel, Signal Mountain; Garrison Sherrill, Chattanooga; Sadie Sherrill, Chattanooga; Maya (Ben) Kochli, Fredrickburg, Virginia; Emily Jane Sherrrill, Dalton, Georgia; Mary Lillian "Lillie" Sherrill, Dalton, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Gracie Jane Coker, Dalton, Georgia; Whit and Lottie Kochli, Fredrickburg, Virginia; brother, Tom Ingram, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Claire Sherrill, Tybee Island, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be private. A memorial service to celebrate Mairsie's life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. 7th St., Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37402 or the Humane Educational Society, 214 N. Highland Park Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37404. Wann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (www.wannfuneralhome.com). --