I knew that Sherry was facing a life threatening illness
and she was doing all she could to serve her institution, to take care of herself,
and to be a light to the world. My good
colleague, Chaplain Reverend Sherry Owensby-Sikes, died on November 4, 2017 at
age 71. She was the Chaplain at the
Lutheran retirement community, Franke at Seaside, in Mount Pleasant, South
Carolina for 17 years. More than that
she was a wife, mother, devoted Christian, professional chaplain, Lutheran
pastor, and trusted colleague who deeply cared for people. I want to dedicate this blog to her life, and
in memory of her ministry and work as a chaplain. I also want to share my heartfelt condolences
for Mr. Dave Sikes, Sherry’s husband, in his great loss.
Sherry was an outstanding listener. She was an empathetic pastoral
caregiver. She could connect with others
at the soul level in a respectful and tolerant manner--always. She trusted God and helped others to lean
into God’s great grace and care. She was
a champion of those who had been marginalized by a society that is in love with
power, money, and status. She was a
chaplain to chaplains. She advocated for
professional chaplaincy and the goal of helping other chaplains reach their
potential. She was a leader and amazing
advocate. She is someone you would want
to call, “true friend.” I honor and
remember Chaplain Sherry and I will miss her.
May the LORD comfort Dave Sikes and Sherry’s family. Sherry’s death, like Christ’s death, is not
the last word. The last word is God’s
invitation and welcome into the eternal Kingdom of God where grace and mercy
will rule the day. I am grateful for
Sherry’s commitment and witness that embodied God’s mercy and grace to a hurting
and aging world. She will be greatly
missed by many.
