Sherry Farris

Sherry Elaine (Powell) Farris, of Topeka, KS, departed this world for eternal life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her family, after a battle with cancer.

Sherry was born on June 27, 1949, to Woodrow W. and Pauline M. Powell in Lubbock, TX. She is survived by her devoted husband, William C. “Bill” Farris of the home, daughter Melaine Warner (son-in-law Mark Warner, grandkids Anna, Noah, and Sarah Kate) of Liberty, MO, daughter Heather Fay (son-in-law Troy Fay, grandkids Luke, Drew, and Cole) of Topeka, KS, daughter Angela Mackey (son-in-law Daniel Mackey, grandkids Emma, Lorelei, and Josiah) of Fort Smith, AR, son Christopher Farris of Washington, D.C., and sibling Patricia Barton (brother-in-law Billy Barton) of Gibson, NC. She is also survived by a host of loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Sherry is preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow W. and Pauline M. Powell of Lubbock, TX, brothers Gerald Powell of Waxahachie, TX, and Waylen Powell of Lubbock, TX, and parents-in-law, Clyde C. and Anna L. Farris of Lubbock, TX. 

 She attended Texas Tech University where, in her freshman year, she met William “Bill” Farris. They were married a year later and celebrated 54 years of marriage last summer. Sherry worked for the State of Kansas for thirty years, five with Child Protective Services and twenty-five with the Board of Regents.

Sherry loved Jesus, her family, and people well. As such, she was always helping and volunteering. She volunteered in church with VBS, nursery, bringing donuts, and etc. until her illness prevented her. She even worked as a church secretary for a few years. Since she loved God’s Word, she was involved in Bible studies or home groups continuously since 1972. She participated in Inductive Bible Studies and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), serving on the BSF leadership team for many years. Sherry was a Girl Scout leader and delivered Meals on Wheels. She even tried to schedule her cancer treatments so she could continue to deliver meals.

Sherry also loved creating and crafting. She wove wheat, crocheted, sewed clothing, cross stitched, worked with plastic canvas, scrapbooked, and many other crafts. Her most recent creative outlet was card-making. Beyond crafting, Sherry loved her kids and grandkids and attempted to keep up with all their activities and antics.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Bible Study Fellowship’s Memorials and Honorarium Fund to support this ministry that was so important to Sherry. Online contributions may be made here.

A celebration of Sherry’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. Her family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service.

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