Class of 1954
1954 Maroon Spotlight
Sherrill Nelson
Class Assemblies 51-54; Office Staff 52-53; Student Council 53-54; Perryscope Staff 53-54; Courtesy Guide 53-54.
1954 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Sherrill Nelson is undecided about which college she will attend after graduation. She was born March 26, 1936, in Oklahoma City, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Nelson, Lucien. Sherrill attended grade school in Lucien and was a member of the student council, 1953-54, while in high school.
Sherrill Ann (Nelson) Smith
March 26, 1936 – July 21, 2025
Sherrill Ann Smith, 89, of Urbana, Illinois, passed away at 1:18 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on March 26, 1936, she was the daughter of Ira and Anna Rupp Nelson. Sherrill graduated from Perry High School in Perry, Oklahoma, in 1954.
She and Robert “Bob” L. Smith met at the Oklahoma State Fair and married three short months later on November 18, 1955. They enjoyed nearly 57 years of marriage. They spent the first 20 years of their marriage living in Oklahoma, Alaska, Louisiana, Texas, and finally Central Illinois while Bob served his country in the Air Force. He preceded her in death on June 29, 2012.
Sherrill worked as a bank teller, at Champaign National Bank, Champaign, Illinois, and Main Street Bank and Trust.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, parents, and her brother, Vernon Nelson.
Survivors include: her children, Debbie Smith of Urbana and Bryan (Penny) Smith of Murphysboro; her grandchildren, Melissa (Kenny) Schrock of St. Joseph, Jessy (Ronelle) Smith of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and Zachary Smith; as well as great-grandchildren Tea, Jordan, Makynzie, Barrett and Remington.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford, IL with Hank Sanford officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph-Ogden High School Life Skills Program or Muscular Dystrophy Association.