Grace May Sherwood, 91

HARRINGTON - Grace May Sherwood, 91, of Harrington was called to her heavenly home, April 8, 2009, at the Milford Genesis Center. Grace was born March 22, 1918, in the sand hills of Garden County, Neb., on the family ranch to John Wesley and Margaret (Beckman) Thornton. Grace's love of music was evident as a small child. She started to play the piano at age 4 when her feet could barely touch the pedals, and would practice for hours. The only girl with three "big brothers" running free in the sand hills, she was educated in one room schools to grade 8 and graduated from Garden County Nebraska high school. She met the love of her life, Homer Franklin Sherwood, from way 'back east' in Delaware while attending Colorado Springs Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colo., They were married on June 9, 1940, and their life path took them from the sand hills of western Nebraska and plains of Kansas to Delaware in 1947 where she lived the remainder of her life. Grace was a talented musician and played many instruments, but mastered piano with a beautiful 'touch.' She loved the Lord with her whole being, and gave her time and talent freely to her church. Grace reflected her strong Christian faith throughout her life. She had an amazing and ready testimony even in the last years when illness came. Homer and Grace chose early in their marriage that Grace's roll as full time wife and mother would define their home. Four children were born to this union and her love for her husband and children and her church filled her days, and she was a wonderful wife and mother. They would have celebrated 69 loving years together this June. She was preceded in death by Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Jeff Devasher; and brothers, Earl, Loyal and William; infant sister, Holly; and sister-in-law, Beulah (Earl) Thornton. Grace is survived and loved by her husband, Homer; daughter, Ardis and her husband John Noble Wilhelm; son, Neil Sherwood and wife Joyce; daughter, Marilyn Kay 'Lynn' and husband Tim Hoffman; son, Garold Sherwood and wife Mary Lou; sisters-in-law and spouses, Virginia and William Thornton, Helen Maloney, Phyllis and Joe Casey; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous step-grand and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in Pilgrim Chapel, Milford-Harrington Hwy., where she was a member. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday evening Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, and one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington. Memorials may be made in Grace's name to The Pilgrim Chapel Memorial Fund, 4792 Milford Harrington Hwy., Harrington, DE 19952. Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington.