Director, Chef, Artist, Event Planner

We often hear the story of the biblical “Coat of Many Colors” but seldom meet persons with such varied skills. Many aspire greatness, but few achieve it in real life. But what of those who dedicate their lives to become multi-disciplined yet fail to be known. They exist in many communities but seldom acknowledged in print. Let's take one example. Sherry Smith (photo above), working in Harrison County, MS.

Harrison County is located in the southern-most part of the State of Mississippi. In the rural section of Woolmarket village, there sits a community center building of which one-half is a dedicated “senior center.” It is a busy operation with the secretary, Sandy Peterson, recording more than 330 people engaged in dozens of activities, of which several are offered daily.

Sherry Smith was hired to help with manual arts in the latter months of the COVID pandemic, rose to become its main planner of activities, then became its Director. Among a staff of seven hard working people, the rise in services, activities and meals was meteoric by southern standards. She was not a child prodigy, but a self-taught student of the world beginning at age 50! Working two jobs at a time, she matriculated at the the local college and graduated with honors.

She began teaching visual arts of pottery, drawing, painting and ceramics. When attendees noticed how well she sang, she established Karaoke sessions a few times per week. When she was promoted, Kathy Yon took her place. Then Sherry brought in a guitar which evolved in “Pike-n-Grinnin” sessions with several other folks. Whenever the center's chef, “Ms. Cynthia”, was absent, Sherry became the chef-d-jour! It is now evident that there is little that Ms. Sherry can not do! Her passion is planning events, even to the point where she wrote an entire play consisting of several actors! Although the author tries to be a “renaissance man,” Sherry embodies those characteristics.

Sherry is loved and admired by all, but few outside the community know of her. Perhaps this is the first step in letting the public know how anyone with perseverance can be recognized, accepted, admired and acknowledged.

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