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Sherryl Minnette Pursley Martin
Sherryl “Sherry” Minnette Pursley Martin, age 70, passed away Jan. 3, 2017 in Tucson, AZ. Sherry was born Feb. 5, 1946 in Solomonville, AZ to Josephine (Alger) Pursley and Joseph Robert Pursley. She was the youngest of four children; Priscilla (Joyce) Hatch, Charles Robert “Bob” and Michael Wayne “Mike” Pursley.
Sherry was sealed for time and all eternity to Fred Abner Martin on May 26, 1967 in the Mesa Arizona Temple; this year they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Sherry attended EAC, BYU and ASU where she received her Bachelors in English. She then went to work as a teacher in Mesa, AZ.
She and Fred settled into their first home and started their family in Mesa. In 1971 they relocated to Mammoth, AZ where she lived until her passing. Sherry was a loving, busy mother of five; Melanie, Chris, Jason, Ryan and Erik. Sherry was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings throughout the years including; Primary President, ward organist, primary pianist, visiting teacher and many more. She was a substitute teacher for the San Manuel School District for six years. She returned to full time teaching in 1986. She was a beloved kindergarten teacher in Mammoth Elementary School for twenty-one years.
She enjoyed reading, writing, spending time with her children, teaching, loved doing genealogy, spending time with her grandchildren, growing plants and flowers, her heart dishes, playing board games with her kids and grandkids, playing with their dog Mayze and sitting on the front porch swing with her beloved Fred.
Sherry is survived by her loving husband Fred Martin and their children, Melanie (Anthony) Trejo, Christopher (Brigette) Martin, Jason (Heather) Martin, Ryan Martin and Erik (Eva) Martin. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Monica, Dravyn, Brenna, Gage, Kylee, Reagan, Mikayla, Taryn and Jack; her brother Bob (Carole) Pursley and brother-in-law Boyd Hatch and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and Joseph Pursley, her brother Mike and her sister Joyce.
Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints San Manuel Chapel. The viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with the funeral service starting at 10 a.m. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. in the Central Cemetery in Central, AZ.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
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