Sherry Virginia Mistak

Sherry Virginia Mistak, of Maryville,died on July 7, 2021. She was 75-years-old and lived a full, happy life characterized by fulfilling work, great trips, adored pets, and fond memories with her beloved family.

Sherry was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, where she attended Richmond Academy, University Hospital School of Nursing, and the Medical College of Georgia. While working as a nurse she met her husband of 53 years, Bob, who was working as a laboratory tech stationed at Fort Gordon.

She dedicated nearly 50 years to an accomplished career in nursing and patient care, serving as a teenage candy striper, an educator, an ER nurse, and ending her career as a case manager and discharge planner. Sherry retired in 2008 but, until recent years, maintained her nursing licenses in GA and TN “just in case.”

Sherry is preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Florence “Bunny” Marsh, a special aunt Gertrude Boone, and many beloved pets (especially dogs Jimmy, Orvis, and sweet Beanie). Her children and her grandchildren were the resolute joy and pride of her life, and she is survived by her husband Bob, her son Brett (Alison Johnston), her daughter Sarah (Justin Caughron), and four incredible grandchildren Wyatt, Mazzy, Knox, and Audrey to whom she was affectionately known as “Grammie,” no doubt the favorite title earned in her course of life.

She and Bob traveled extensively (from Alaska to Bora Bora and in-between), and their favorite trips included bike paths, dive bars, live music, cold beers, and epic sunsets. Committed to a life of health and wellness, Sherry was a member and loyal patron of Olympia Athletic Club for over 30 years, particularly enjoying group exercise classes and logging thousands of miles on the treadmills. She enjoyed spending time reading books (of the page-turning Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks varieties) and curating special family memories into shelves and shelves of photo albums.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the conscientious and thorough healthcare Sherry received at Blount Memorial Hospital, with particular acknowledgement to the CCU nurses, respiratory therapists, and intensivist Dr. Robert Jones.

Sherry immensely loved her doggies, and in lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to donate to your local animal shelter. Everyone who remembers Sherry is invited to celebrate her life and their favorite memory in a way of their own choosing, but raising a bottle of cold beer while listening to Jimmy Buffett and watching a sunset would certainly be appropriate.

A celebration of her life will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 13, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Maryville, Tennessee.