Sherrie Beth Martin

Sherrie Beth Martin, born May 15, 1963, in Gainesville, Texas, passed away peacefully April 14th in Asheville, North Carolina, after a courageous journey marked by faith, resilience, and deep love for others.

She is survived by her mother, Yvonne Curtis. She was preceded in death by her brother, Kevin Martin and father Kenneth Martin.

Sherrie grew up with both a curious mind and a compassionate heart, qualities that would define her entire life. Her parents instilled in her a simple but powerful belief: she could do anything she chose, as long as she did it well. With a father who served as a firefighter, she developed a lifelong admiration and passion for first responders ~ a devotion that would shape her career and sense of purpose.

Sherrie spent her first 40 years in the Waco, Texas area, serving her community as a Waco Police Officer for 17 years. Her experience in the field led her to work on radio-related projects, ultimately bringing her to Motorola, where she spent 26 years on the training team. She took immense pride in supporting the people who run toward danger to protect others. She often said that helping a police officer stay safe makes a community safer, and helping a firefighter be found in a burning building protects us all.

Deeply spiritual, Sherrie lived by a simple mantra: “I am spiritual, I am loving, and I am kind.” In 2008, she underwent life-saving brain surgery to remove a lemon-sized tumor, an event she credited to God and the gifted hands of Dr. Rhoton. Four additional surgeries followed in later years, each faced with remarkable courage. She often said she felt she had been given two birthdays and expressed profound gratitude for the 18 extra years of life she received.

Authenticity guided everything she did. She lived by the Golden Rule, worked hard, played hard, and maintained a childlike wonder for the world. She loved Mother Earth, animals, music, and watching people dance, earning the affectionate nickname “DJ Sherrie.” She believed that everything good flowed from God through her, and she felt most alive when she could share it.

Her home in the mountains of Asheville, built 26 years ago, was her sanctuary. Her favorite place was the porch, overlooking sweeping views with a margarita in hand. “A lot of things get worked out on the porch,” she would say. It was a place of laughter, reflection, friendship, and peace.

Sherrie found joy in the natural world. She loved kayaking at Lake Lure, hiking local trails, visiting the beach, and traveling to places that stirred her spirit, including Hawaii, Sedona, and Rohoboth. Hot yoga brought her both strength and community, and she cherished her “yoga girls.”

Sunday mornings were sacred, especially at Unity of the Blue Ridge. She loved “Super Soul Sunday” and gathering afterward for church and brunch at Carmel’s with a circle of friends she considered family. Those tables were filled with gratitude, storytelling, and celebration of life’s simple blessings.

Her guiding principle was unwavering: take care of your people, no matter the hardship. She showed up with chicken soup at the door, with empathy in difficult moments, and with an intuitive ability to ease others’ burdens before they even asked. She remained deeply connected to her close circle of friends ~ her “Framily” ~ whom she credited, along with her faith, for sustaining her during the past 18 years. She was especially grateful for the leadership and devotion of her dear friend Jerri Goldberg, whom she lovingly called the “Matriarch of our tribe.”

Above all, Sherrie’s generosity, warmth, and faith defined her. She believed deeply in paying kindness forward and in living with an open heart. Those who knew her felt seen, supported, and uplifted in her presence.

Sherrie Beth Martin was cremated. A very small private Celebration of Life will be held by invitation.

Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the safety she helped bring to communities, the friendships she nurtured, and the love she gave so freely.

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