Sherry Lee Mitchell Welter, 84, of Williamsburg, peacefully passed Friday, July 6, 2018. She was surrounded by her family. She has gone to join her husband, William Lloyd Welter; mother, Ruth Shaw Mitchell Scoggins; father, Floyd Earl Mitchell; and stepfather, Paul Thurman Scoggins.
Sherry was born Jan. 24, 1934, in Pensacola, Florida. She attended Gulfport Preparatory School and Florida State University. Sherry was crowned Miss Northwest Florida in the early 1950s. It was there, in the panhandle of northwest Florida, where Sherry caught the eye of Bill Welter, her future husband, who she was married to for 55 years. During the first 20 years of their marriage, Bill’s career as a test pilot for the U.S. Army took them to almost 20 different cities before settling in Williamsburg. Sherry always made every transition to a new city seamless and every new house a loving home. Her beautiful smile brightened every day.
Sherry is survived by her brother, Carter Miller, sister-in-law, Nancy Akin; stepsister, Alma Murray; daughters, Melissa Carpenter (Tim), Virginia Gilliam (Robert) and Mary Welter (Laura Colon); son, William Welter; grandchildren, Lloyd Young, Will Carpenter (Clair), Rob Gilliam, Sam Carpenter, Bo Young, Meg Young, Grey Carpenter, Lee Gilliam, and the latest joy of our mother’s heart, great-granddaughter, Hannah Gray Carpenter; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins.
Sherry was a longtime member of Bruton Parish Church, where she guided and also volunteered in the gift shop. She was an active member of the Daughters of the King, the DAR and Spiritworks. She was a consummate supporter and volunteer for many local charitable organizations.
Sherry’s favorite hobbies were genealogy, spending many hours and travels researching her family history, and all things related to the beach and ocean.
Most of all, Sherry was dedicated to her family and pets, being a lifelong animal lover. She was a loving mother and grandmother who spent wonderful moments with her family at the beach and family gatherings. She was greatly loved and will forever be missed.
Well done, Mom. Be thou forever at peace.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 14, at Bruton Parish Church with a reception to immediately follow at the Bruton Parish House.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local ASPCA.
Share online condolences with the family at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.
