Sherry Davis Fagerness peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, September 27th, 2024.
Sherry was a sweet, kind, and caring, beautiful soul. She greeted everyone with a smile and made you feel so special.
Sherry was born July 23rd, 1942 in Atlanta. She attended Morris Brandon Elementary School, Northside High School (class of 1960), and Baylor University for two years. It was during that time that she met her future husband, John Wesley Fagerness, a naval aviator who was stationed in Texas and had just earned his wings. They married in 1962 and lived in Virginia for five years near the Norfolk Naval Air Station, where the aircraft carrier, USS Forrestal, was stationed.
She grew up in Buckhead, Georgia, on West Paces Ferry Road, with her three brothers when the area was quieter and more country than city. Their farm had many animals, pigs, chickens, ducks, horses, dogs, and a monkey. This colorful setting created a great backdrop for many fun memories to be made with their cousins and friends.
Sherry and her family were members of Second-Ponce de Lean Baptist Church where, as a teenager, she helped with vacation Bible School each summer. She and John also taught Sunday school to children together for many years. Her family was a founding member of the Cherokee Town and Country Club.
In her forties Sherry decided to complete her college degree from Oglethorpe University, then proceeded to get a masters’ degree in marriage and family counseling from Georgia State University. With great pride, she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Sherry and her husband owned several restaurant franchises. Her father and other family members had been in the restaurant business before Sherry was born so she naturally followed suit. Sherry was also a partner in a travel agency, The Atlanta Travelers, in Roswell, Georgia. This career allowed her to pursue her passion for travel on cruises throughout Europe and the Caribbean.
Sherry found much joy in life and that love was best expressed as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She made every holiday and birthday so grand and special for all of her family. She was a natural hostess and always had an abundance of food on the table to share. That was the “Davis tradition” that she inherited from her mother. She and John always loved hosting family events and holidays. A gathering was never complete without her signature chocolate chip cookies.
Sherry felt fortunate to have such a large family. Holidays were always momentous. She adored her many cousins and treasured her lifelong friendships that she made through school and her church.
Sherry was a great communicator and always sent sweet cards and notes adorned with cheerful stickers decorated from the heart. She was the glue that brought the family together.
Sherry also found joy in tending her garden by selecting colorful flowers each season. Gardening made her very happy. Swimming in her pool among the trees and colorful flowers was her piece of heaven on earth.
Sherry will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love for every life she touched.
Sherry is preceded in death by her mother, LeVangie Hill Davis, father, Arthur Terrell Davis; brothers, Arthur Terrell Davis, Jr. (Wanda), Ronald Edward Davis (Linda), and James Huey Davis. She is survived by her husband, John Wesley Fagerness, her children, John Wesley Fagerness, Jr., David Michael Fagerness, and daughter, Laura Lee Simmons (Jon). Her grandchildren are Jon Logan Simmons, Olivia Lee Blackman (Collin), and Arthur Terrell Simmons; Great-grandchildren, Jon Cameron Blackman, and Dalton Collin Blackman. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will be having a private graveside ceremony to honor Sherry. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Sherry’s honor to: Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30305 or Centralia College Foundation, 600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia, WA 98531-4035 in name of Arne and Julia Fagerness Foundation
