Sherby Jean Searles (nee Miles) was born to Frank and Velma Miles in Greenville, SC on June 30, 1937.

Sherby was a devout Christian finding her home as a member of Open Door Missionary Baptist Church. A retired registered nurse by trade at University Hospitals of Cleveland, she put her faith and acts of service into her daily work in caring for new moms and in bringing babies into the world for several decades. Outside of work and the church, Sherby could be found spending time with her husband of over 7 decades that she affectionately referred to as T, her children whom she loved dearly, faithfully connected via long distance calls with her sister Nettie, and still making time to spend with all that she loved and who loved her. She had the greenest of thumbs, in fact she was known to resuscitate a plant that we all thought was on its last leg. Once she got a hold of it, it flourished and thrived, she was a thrifting enthusiast loving a weekly trip to the Goodwill, going out to eat at restaurants with her family especially Cracker Barrel where she got the same “Grandma’s Sampler” every single time she went!

Additionally, she loved games of all types. Scrabble was a family favorite. She played Trouble with all the kids growing up, Bingo at the senior center where she always seemed to win, and of course spades!!! If you weren’t her partner, please beware. She was a fierce competitor. When alone, she loved a good card game of solitaire or playing on her iPad.

Sherby was a jack of all trades–very handy. Her husband T, used to enviously marvel at how she could hammer a nail into any surface including brick and it remained in place firmly just because Sherby said so. The number of DIY projects they took on, the millions of trips to auto supply stores to work on the car, or the never-ending trips to Home Depot or Lowe’s; she always vowed never to do another project, and yet, they were always beginning another! She had a smile to melt your heart, the way she hummed when she was busily cooking in the kitchen, how she made you feel welcomed and appreciated even if she just met you, how she was never too busy for anyone, she literally made us all feel that we were uniquely important and special to her, are but a few attributes she’ll be remembered for.

She departed this earthly life on Monday, February 6, 2023. Sherby leaves to cherish her memories; her husband, William T. Searles, her children William G. Searles, Gloria Welch (Larry), Sharon Ellington (Chris). Her sister Nettie Jones (Claude). Nieces and nephew, Claudia Plowden (Lee), Stanley Jones (Valerie), and Velita Jones. Grandchildren Rasheda Searles, Shanika Lovelace, and Tanisha Welch. Great grandchildren Rashaun Searles Fowler, Raylon Dean, Dennis Lovelace III, and Cameron Lovelace. Several cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends that she cherished as family.