Sherry Lynn Smith-Rylander

Sherry Lynn Smith – Rylander, 78, of Benton, Arkansas passed from this world into the arms of God on August 12th, 2024. Sherry’s life is impossible to summarize in just a few lines on paper because of the extraordinary life that she lived. Her life began in the small town of Bauxite, Arkansas on November 16th, 1945, born to Woodrow and Dorothy Smith. She made lifelong friends in Bauxite that were still in her life at the time of her passing: Suzanne Crowson, Sandra Lindsey-Birmingham, and Peggy Schell, just to name only a few. Early in life she was a girl of many talents. She played flute in the band, was a pianist at her church, West Bauxite Missionary Baptist, and a member of a gospel quartet. It was in the 11th grade when she was chosen by Bauxite High School to represent them at the Arkansas Girls State Committee. That summer she dipped her toes into the political world and from that day forward she was very active in our local and state government. Graduating in 1963 as a lifelong Bauxite Miner, she made her way to Henderson State University to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. In May of 1967, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and began teaching as she had always dreamed of.

She had the desire to spread her wings and explore the world outside of Arkansas, and in her 20’s she moved to Austin, Texas, which became her home until 2013. Austin was a new way of life and very different from the small town of Bauxite. She had new dreams, and these included becoming a businesswoman and teaching other teachers. She owned her own business “Teaching Technology” in the early 80’s when computers were still in their infancy. She went on to work in computer software, publications for teachers, and even selling and designing furniture. Working was not all of Sherry’s life, and on a blind date she met the love of her life, Norman Rylander. She was married in May of 1975 and for the next 15 years she was treated like a queen, until she suddenly became a widow in January of 1991. Many friends were made while Sherry and Norman sailed around the country on their Yacht, The Ku-Ring-Gai. There was even a group of girls called the Dock A group, made up of the ladies that had boats at Normans Dock that he owned that became lifelong friends, including Bill and Kathy Rose. Sherry loved to sail, and even had her own sailboat. If there are water and sailboats in Heaven, I can picture them sailing out on the ocean together, the place that brought them both the most happiness.

Norman brought alive her desire to travel, because they would sail their Yacht off to Hawaii and the Virgin Islands many times. Sherry continued to travel after the loss of Norman, but with her sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Dub Crowson. There are too many trips to name, but the ones she spoke of often was her trip to Amsterdam to see the Tulips, Exploring Paris, Seeing Germany, and her favorite River boat Cruise. Somehow along the way she discovered a gift for cooking, but with a sophisticated palate, unlike how she was raised. Her meals were absolutely delicious with the use of spices, oils, herbs, and sauces that only a culinary chef could accomplish. If anyone was her friend on Facebook, then you were privy to seeing the fine examples of her culinary delights that she made.

March 20th, 2013, after she retired, she loaded her car and headed back to Arkansas to spend the last chapter of her life in Benton. She wanted to be close to Bonnie and Dub so that she could take care of them as they were getting older. Helen the cat came with her to their new home since she had been Sherry’s roommate for many years. Unfortunately, Helen passed away, and her sister insisted she get another cat. That is where Tina the Maine Coon cat came into her life. Tina was a rescue cat, because that is just how Sherry’s heart worked. She was always wanting to help others, even animals. If you knew Sherry, then you knew how compassionate, charitable, and generous she was. Like a good mother would do, she made arrangements many years ago for Tina the cat in case anything ever happened to her. Tina will live with her cousin, Dana and Neal Smith, in North Arkansas where she will be loved and well cared for.

God never blessed Sherry with any children other than the hundreds that she taught in the classroom, but she loved them very much. Kelley and Kathrine’s six grandchildren loved her deeply and that was evident by the hundreds of hugs and kisses she got from them. Sherry's life in Arkansas was filled with family events, many that she organized because of that special skill she had. She loved collecting ladybug décor, making flower arrangements, and decorating her home inside and out in the garden area. She also loved watching Eagles nest on the internet for hours, just to see the baby Eagles and the interactions with their parents.

I must add this, because it would be a disservice to the world if I didn’t tell you that Amazon delivery was a daily occurrence at her house. If anyone has stock in Amazon, the loss of Sherry in this world will surely be felt. There were times that ten boxes would be stacked at her door, with twenty lying in the hallway ready to be opened. She said it felt like Christmas getting to open all those boxes! It was always a running joke that when she passed away, she would be cremated and put in an amazon box; so instead we put the box in with her, so that it would always be with her.

Awaiting Sherry, the morning she closed her eyes to the things on Earth, were the love of her life, Norman Rylander; her parents, Woodrow and Dorothy Smith; two brothers, Dale and Don Smith; and her nephew, Glen Smith.

Sherry leaves behind to cherish her memory: loving sister, Bonnie Crowson; her cousin/niece and nephew: Kathrine and Kelley Smith; nephew: Gary Smith; her fur baby Tina the cat; and a host of close family and friends.

Our family wants to thank Pleasant Hill Senior Care, Haleigh Sawyer, and Lindsey Vaughn for the care and compassion they showed when coming to her home to assist her with her needs. We would also like to thank Dr. Debra Quade, Gentiva Hospice Care, and Rizzi, a caring and compassionate nurse at Saline memorial Hospital.

Officiating the Service Will be Brother Kim Hammer. Services will be at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas on Saturday, August 17,2024. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with a service immediately following from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interment will occur at a later date at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville, Arkansas.