Sherry Ann Captain

Sherry Captain, age 72 of Knoxville passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2019, in her home in Fountain City. Sherry was born January 12, 1947 to James Arthur and Mary Gertrude Charlton in Blount County, TN. She married William (Bill) James Captain in 1967 and they had 3 daughters - Kathi and husband Greg Bradley, Forest (Deedee) Aliya, and Angelia Townsend, and four grandchildren Dallas Townsend, Emilie Townsend, Szilaz Aliya-VanWyk, and Will Bradley. She also has a loyal family friend Bobby Ford who helped greatly with her care in her final years. Sherry was preceded by her husband Bill and four of her older siblings, Shirley Hunt, Pat Burns (on 9/13/2019), Charles William Charlton, James Arthur Charlton Jr. She is survived by two older brothers Robert Charlton and John Charlton, her brother-in-law Victor Captain, and many cousins and close relatives from both sides of the family. Sherry was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and, for many years, loved teaching Sunday school to 5 year olds and serving at the Greek Festival. Sherry met Bill Captain at Sam and Andy’s Roman Room when she was 19. Always a hard worker, her fiery red hair and no nonsense disposition caught his eye. The couple was married when she was 21 and started their family. Together they started a chain of seven delis called “Time Out Deli” and a bakery and sold them in 1972. Sherry also owned and operated a popular bar called “The Patio”. Here, she endeared herself to many from all walks of life. Her customers respectfully named her the “Warden” – for the order she maintained in her establishment. Sherry, Bill and Victor then opened “Vic and Bill’s” deli on UT’s campus on Cumberland Avenue. After a fire they moved locations to behind the law school and it was open for 38 years. Sherry was lovingly nicknamed of the “Sandwich Nazi” fashioned after the Jerry Seinfeld character “Soup Nazi”, which she thought was fitting. If you ever tried to order a Reuben with tomato, you would know why. Among all the tailgaters and stampede of hungry fans that poured in to eat before each UTK home football game, Sherry created order out of chaos - keeping the line moving without writing down an order and very rarely making a mistake, all while wearing white jeans, which stayed spotless. This was amazing to her daughter, Angelia who worked with her and witnessed this year after year. After Bill’s accident, Sherry reopened Vic and Bill’s on Broadway for a few years with Angelia, until her health declined. Sherry also enjoyed pouring herself into serving others through the American Legion Auxiliary. She volunteered at post 13 in Maryville for many years and then in Post 2 in Sevierville. She served as unit president, district president, chaplain, and is a past state president. She also volunteered at Girl’s State and Girl’s Nation. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as well. She valued honoring those who served and gave their lives for our country. While holding all of this, Sherry was a steadfast, caring wife to Bill and mother to her three daughters throughout her life – loving and serving them in self-sacrificing ways. She laughed, she sang, she danced, she prayed, she cooked, she dreamed, she loved, she played, she traveled, she created, she hoped, she inspired, she lost, she endured. She enjoyed her life and deeply depended on the Lord. Her strength was unparalleled, the deepest gift, and will always inspire her daughters. She will be missed in the hearts of many. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life gathering on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Fountain City United Methodist Church (212 Hotel Road, Knoxville, TN, 37918) in the Wesley Hall (close to main entrance). The family will receive friends from 3-4 pm, and gather at 4pm to share stories and memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society www.donate3.cancer.org.