Thomas Howard Sherrill (known to family as Howard, to many friends as T.H.) was born August 31, 1898 in Melborne, Arkansas. He died October 28, 1958 in Newport, Arkansas.

His parents were Robert Chester Sherrill and Margaret Jane Smith Sherrill of Melborne, Arkansas. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Elizabeth Smith of Newberg, Arkansas. He married Grace Martelia Aldridge in 1923. Her parents were Monroe and Sarah Jane Aldridge of Cave City, Arkansas. Two children were born to them and many others lived in their home through the years and called them Mama and Dad.

A daughter Margaret Jane was born Jan 14, 1925. She met William Byrd Lynn (of Sikeston, Missouri) at Harding College and married May 12, 1946 in Searcy, Arkansas. Bill died just past midnight on May 13, 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee of Cancer. They have 4 daughters and 2 sons born to them, adopted 2 children and have 17 grandchildren.

They had a son Billy Howard Sherrill, born July 4, 1932 in Batesville, Arkansas. He met Mary Helen (Scotty) Clayton from Morrilton, Arkansas at Harding College and married in Searcy, Arkansas. Bill and Scotty have 3 daughters, 1 son, and 10 grandchildren. Bill is minister for the Church of Christ in Nacogdoches, Texas where he has been there for 25 years. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Howard was the eldest of 8 children. His mother had serious bouts of depression after childbirth and often was hospitalized. It was his very good fortune to be cared for by his maternal grandparents the first years of his life. From a theme he wrote while a student at Harding College in 1930-1931 entitled "The Most Memorable Events of My Life" we learned his extreme sadness at having to leave his grandparents and also of their deep sadness. The grandparents were deeply spiritual people and it was from them he was introduced to the teachings of the Church of Christ. He continued a close relationship with them throughout their life.

Another event he listed that greatly affected his life was the death of the brother Walter, closest to him, when he was 10 and his brother was 8 years old. He said for years he felt alone in the world. Due to the families extreme poverty, a brief period of school at age 7, where he learned his letters, and another "short term" summer session at 15 years of age, when he studied a second grade reader with little success, were all he was free to attend until he was 18. In between these periods he worked long hours with the men hauling logs with oxen. He wrote about this last period of schooling which he entered with little or no hope, "Perhaps the hand of providence moved on me and placed me in a nine month school where the teachers knew my frame of mind and my disappointment in an unusual way. I learned more in that one year than I have been able to learn since in three times the amount of time." The gracious young school teacher who helped him so much during this period became his wife and helpful partner for the rest of his life. His interest in the Bible grew and although he accepted opportunities to speak, he and mother knew more Bible teaching was necessary.

The other event that brought great change to Howard's life was the sudden death of his father from a 3 day bout with what was probably pneumonia. The family was left an insurance policy, only purchased that year, large enough to buy a very nice home in Melborne and furnish income for his mother and younger brothers and sisters. This freed Howard and Grace to move to Cave City, Arkansas where they lived with her parents and taught school at Cushman, Arkansas. He was Superintendent and coached men's ball and Grace taught and coached the women.

During the Cave City period I was born. Realizing his need for more Bible teaching it was agreed Mother and I would continue living in Cave City with her parents and he would go to Freed Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee.

After the year at Freed the church at Pocahontas asked him to come as their full time minister. A wonderful year in my memory. He and mother bought a farm with cows and goats. They both milked and she and I delivered the milk each day. By this time Daddy had come in contact with Bro. J.N. Armstrong, the president of Harding College in Morrilton, Arkansas, who would become the greatest influence for good in his life. He and mother once again realized they both needed more education so after one year at Pocahontas they sold the farm, banked the money, moved to Morrilton and we all entered school. I was in the 1st grade under Mrs. Florence Cathcart. They were in college. The year was 1930-31 and all the banks failed.

We continued the full 9 months in school with both parents earning all A's. Although my mother spent the last 6 weeks of school in the hospital with pneumonia and took her finals with 104 degrees fever. My memories of that year are good and were reinforced by both parents through later years. (I know about their good grades because I studied under some of the same teachers in college 10 years later and they reminded me that my parents were excellent students.)

Two special memories have remained with me from their period at Harding. The first is Daddy's coming home elated that a Christian had sent $5.00 to Brother Armstrong to help a "worthy student" and he gave it to Daddy. The second; I remember playing in my yard with the neighbor children, when my mother asked one friend where her mother was, my friend said she was out with the church ladies taking food to the poor. A short time later the ladies arrived at our home bringing a huge basket of food. I hadn't known we were poor, but what a wonderful way to find out. After one year at Harding, the brethren at Batesville who had just finished a new church building asked that Daddy come there as minister which he did for two years.

I believe the depression was so bad that the people could not support a minister, because even I was aware that there was no money during that period. It was the only year of my life that Christmas came without a new present.

One other very special event at Batesville was the birth of a baby boy 7 years younger than me. The last child added by birth, but many others lived with us for various lengths of time.

We then moved to Dallas, Texas. The time in Dallas was good, although we only stayed one year. Daddy preached for the Lisbon church. He developed close relationships there that lasted the rest of his life. Returning year after year to hold meetings.

The deep relationship with Bro. Oliphant, minister of the Oak Cliff congregation, that developed that year continued with their encouraging each other and exchanging pulpits for meetings through many years. It only terminated when Bro. Oliphant had a heart attack while holding a meeting with Dad in Newport, Arkansas. He died in Daddy's arms.

Drawn back to Arkansas again to begin holding meetings almost full time, we again lived in Cave City and Daddy preached everywhere, but especially in Arkansas.

Much of the pay received during that period was in the form of produce or whatever the members had. I remember his driving in from a meeting one day with a wooden crate tied on the front bumper of his car, filled with live chickens. The back seat had all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruit that my mother would can, but best of all -- enough buckets of sorghum molasses that Daddy sold them and bought himself a new suit. He and Mom thought it was great and so did I.

One of the happiest periods for me and I think for my parents was two years spent at Calico Rock, Arkansas. A most beautiful place with creeks and the White River for swimming.

The church was composed of and led by many of the Garner families. A huge clan of Godly people that Daddy had known for many years. The family leaders were Nell and Theodore Garner. Theodore, a perfect example of an elder and "Aunt Nell," as I was permitted to call her was one of the 2 or 3 most gracious and hospitable women I have ever met. I have tried to copy her all my adult life.

There was not just a closeness within the church fellowship, but a relationship of respect and appreciation with the town leaders and members of other churches in the community.

I remember that those in all churches who loved singing practiced together for weeks and gave a beautiful Oratorio for the entire community during the Easter season. Daddy felt believers could and should show love and respect for each other although disagreeing on some things. Although Calico Rock was such a pleasant, peaceful and growing work with a comfortable income that freed Daddy to preach full time and hold many meetings, we were only there two years.

In those days ones who lived in the country could only attend school by arranging to live with a family in town as there were no school buses and few people had cars. It was not unusual for us or other families to have students live in our home, but in Calico Rock we had a most unusual student in every way. Reba Gifford lived with us and excelled in every way. In her life, character and ability and she graduated with honors.

When she went home for a visit her father sent word she could not go on to college because he needed her to work on the farm. Although the father had the reputation of being a hard and even dangerous man, Daddy and Mother agreed he should go to her father and insist he let her go to college. The Lord graciously led the father to agree.

Daddy could think of no way for Reba to go to college except for us to move to Searcy where Harding College had moved. The church there had a building and wanted Daddy to preach, but had no money for a salary -- so we went.

Daddy earned his income in many ways. Reba graduated from Harding College an honor student, taught many years until her retirement at Boles Orphans Home in Quinlan, Texas. With 3 sons of their own, she and her husband, Cleo, adopted and taught Christ to 3 more. She is still one of the Godliest women and the very best cook in the world.

For about 10 years we lived in Searcy with Daddy preaching, teaching at the College, giving many young men their first opportunity to preach by giving them 5 and 10 minutes to give lessons on Wednesday nights. He taught classes at church showing young people how to teach. Even showing us where to go to pick up a car full of children, bring them to church, teach them about God and take them back home.

Whether in church buildings or tent meetings, children wanted to hear him preach, sitting on front rows through long sermons at attention. He started many churches in Arkansas. Leaving Searcy at 6:00 A.M. Sunday mornings. Often taking a song leader, children's teacher, and student preacher for one town and a teacher and song leader to the next town to help him. He would return that night to pick them up. Many churches began in this way. Among them were Clarendon and Lonoke.

He started the black church in Searcy, preached for it many years. Black visitors were always received in our home with honor at our front door. They always ate at the table with us, which should not have been unusual, but was not the custom of the time.

He watched for people in need and offered help. Often bringing people home for food or to sleep. He and his good friend Eddie Grindley were known as ones who looked for families in trouble and offering help before they had to ask and of course telling them about God's love and what Jesus had done for them. They turned our garage into a guest house for strangers which was a very precious heritage.

When in 1946 the church at Newport invited him to move from Searcy to Newport, Arkansas, he did and lived there until his death 12 years later from a heart attack.

The first new home he and mother had ever lived in was ready when they moved to Newport. Immediately the old wood church was torn down and the members, for the most part, began to build a new church building. Daddy was there regularly in overalls to help and the members loved it, although they indicated he was a better preacher than carpenter. He visited with the merchants regularly. He visited all the patients, not just church members, in both hospitals daily. It was not unusual to see some at church when they recovered. He had a daily radio program. Later he had 3 programs running consecutively on Sundays sponsor by the local church, the area churches, and Alcoholics Anonymous. The suicide of his own brother, Ray, after first killing his wife in the presence of their 13 year old daughter brought major changes to Daddy's life. He had tried for years to help the brother. The grief caused by his failure led to intensive study of better ways to help alcoholics and God greatly blessed his efforts.

He had for many years, in Searcy and Newport, been the confidant of doctors and other leaders with their private problems and the problems of their patients or staff. Helping to find homes for babies of unwed mothers, also helping place children from families too poor to give them proper care.

He was a strong supporter of orphan homes and of Christian families adding children in need to their own families. This example was observed and followed by his own children and those who grew up in his home. I must add, Daddy would not have been able to do what he did without mother. I did not realize her gifts as a ministers wife until I grew up. She made wherever we lived a pretty home. She was always willing to move. She never complained when he was away preaching for long periods, which he often was. We never felt neglected, but that we were a part of his work.

When he spent six months in St. Louis helping start Central Church, he sent 3 penny post cards most days. One to mother, one to my brother, Bill, and one to me with a special message to each of us.

Although I worked as a social worker and trained volunteer social workers for Red Cross in World War II, some of my best training came as I became involved with my father and mother and those who came to their home. It was with him I had my first experience with interracial couples, observed a young lesbian receiving help in changing her life and experienced the joy of seeing an alcoholic father of 2 change his life completely.

Daddy had often said that he could not think of a better way to die than like his beloved mentor, Bro. J.N. Armstrong, whom the Lord took home after a full Sunday, and so it was. On Daddy's last day on earth he broadcast three separate radio programs. He taught a Bible class, preached morning and night services, and dedicated the new Jackson Funeral Home in the afternoon. After all services were finished he went to Kelly's Grill to have coffee and visit with all the Harding College student preachers as they gathered there for rides back to Searcy.

The next morning, as he read in bed, the Lord took him. The date was October 27, 1958. The following week was an unforgettable experience. Many people came asking to be baptized explaining that Daddy had taught them and they would delay no longer. My husband Bill Lynn or my brother, Bill Sherrill, would gladly baptize them.

Then it was Halloween and the many children in town who were not apart of the church did not know of his death. He had invited them all to trick or treat his house and we had to make numerous trips back to the store for the unexpected number who came for treats.

There were many great and Godly men who influenced Daddy's life. Among them Brother Joe Blue who lived way out in the country, but whose wonderful wife Mary cooked a huge meal every noon and graciously served a table often full of ones who had traveled far to know her and sit at the feet of her husband. I was fortunate to be taken there by my Dad. Brother G.C. Brewer, a great man and encourager of Daddy's, while holding a meeting at Newport noticed he didn't own a car. He had sold his car because of some need for money, having decided to never to go in debt again so he didn't replace it. Generous friends loaned him theirs for trips away and he walked at home. He was more than 2 years without a car and very content.

A comment by Bro. Brewer in the pulpit helped the church to decide he should have a car. The whole town joined in and bought mother and daddy a new white Ford, which was to be their last car.

The greatest influence in Daddy's life was Bro. J.N. Armstrong. He became like a father in the Lord to Daddy. Daddy's part in representing Bro. Armstrong regarding the many unjust criticisms made about him by ministers and other "would be leaders" was recorded by Dean L.C. Sears of Harding in his book For Freedom. Sister Armstrong, acknowledged as one of the great teachers of speech, was very instrumental in developing Daddy's beautiful speaking voice. She also taught him anything else she felt he needed, including etiquette and social graces. What a gift she was to our entire family.

There was no one in Daddy's last years, except family, as close to him as the young Jimmy Allen. They spent hours together and held meetings that extended into weeks.

Their guide line was to keep going as long as people were responding to be baptized.

In Jimmy's first book "What is Hell Like?", his dedication to the late T.H. Sherrill was as follows:

    Servant of the Master
        Preacher of the gospel
            Comforter of the sick
                Counsellor of the troubled
                    Friend of the downtrodden
                        Encourager of the young
                            Lover of souls
and

The man I wish I could have called "Father"