Sherleen Synder Cardwell

Sherleen S. Cardwell, of Knoxville, was escorted peacefully to her heavenly home by Jesus on February 15, 2018, at Tennova (St. Mary’s) PRMC Hospital, in Knoxville. Sherleen was born on November 25th, 1936. She was raised in Knox County, attended Bearden High School and was a member of Third Creek Baptist Church. She is survived by her brother, James G. Smith (Pam); four daughters and one son: Sherry Oxendine (Jim), Susan Shipley (Tony), Kathy Shipley (Rick), Margie Cardwell, and Robert L. (Bobby) Cardwell, Jr. (Cindy); and brother-in-law Edward L. Cardwell, Jr. (Faye). Sherleen had nine grandchildren: Lamar McBrayer, Alisha (Kirk) Graves, Kristen Lawson, Brian (Merry) Shipley, Ashley (Tyler) Smith, Wesley Lawson, Cassie Cardwell, Kimberly Manning, Julie Manning, and her grandaughter-of-the-heart, Valentina Sotkina. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Seaerra Shipley, Ayden Shipley, Evie Graves, Samuel Graves, and one that will be born in August, as well as many special nephews, step-grands and in-laws. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Robert Lee Cardwell, Sr., and her parents, Sherman J. and Myrtle R. Smith. Also preceding her in death, sisters-in-law Nancy Cardwell, Katherine Churchman, and Wilma Coleman; niece, Debbie Cardwell; brother-in-law James Churchman; and father and mother-in-law, Edward and Velma Cardwell Sherleen lived for her family. She was a beautiful, fun and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and volunteer. She enjoyed staying in touch with her relatives and friends on Facebook and by email and was a big Lady Vol’s fan. Sherleen was dearly loved by many young people that she “took under her wing” over the years who called her “Mom”, “Gran’mama”, and “Aunt Freen”. Children’s rights were extremely important to her and she served nine years on the Foster Care Review Board helping to make sure children did not “get lost” in the system. Sherleen also served as a C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children) volunteer for many years, investigating cases of alleged dependency and neglect. She provided a voice for those children who had no voice in the family court process and interceded on the child’s behalf. Sherleen was recognized and awarded for her many years of volunteer work during the “Knoxville 200 Bicentennial” banquet. She earned the respect of social workers, lawyers, and juvenile court judges as a devoted advocate for the children she served. The family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, February 18th at Mynatt Funeral Home in Fountain City. A graveside service will be in Highland Memorial Gardens at 3pm Monday officiated by Dr. Jim Oxendine. In lieu of flowers, Sherleen requested that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research (www.michaeljfox.org) or to River of Life International Ministries for Unto the Least of These at 2298 Las Fuentes Drive, Port Orange, FL 32129.