Ella Sherrill

Ella Marie Sherrill, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025, at Harmon County Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.

Born on April 22, 1944, in Hollis, Oklahoma, to Walter K. and Exa (McAlexander) Culpepper, Ella was raised in Reed, Oklahoma. She attended Reed schools before graduating from Weatherford High School in 1962. A whirlwind romance began with a sighting at a basketball game in Reed, OK, and on November 3, 1961, Ella married the love of her life, RW Sherrill, in Wellington, Texas. Ella, true to her creative and resourceful nature, made her own blue wedding dress. In fact, she did not own a store-bought dress until after she was married. Together, she and RW built a beautiful life over 63 years of marriage.

Ella pursued her love of learning at Southwestern State College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in 1967. She went on to inspire generations of students during her teaching career. She began teaching in  Davidson, OK, in 1968, later taught in Arnett from 1979 to 1985, and then continued in Hollis until her retirement in 1996. She taught business, typing, shorthand, yearbook, and accounting, quickly becoming a favorite teacher to many. Ella had a natural gift for teaching—she shared knowledge freely, explained with clarity, and made learning engaging and fun. She inspired numerous students who went on to successful careers, leaving a lasting mark on countless lives.

Beyond the classroom, Ella had many talents and passions. She loved puzzles, sewing, crosswords, cooking, and quilting. She was equally at home running a tractor, helping on the farm, or spending a quiet evening on the back porch watching the sunset. Family was always at the heart of her life—she delighted in reading to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, playing dress-up and hide-and-seek with the little ones, and gathering loved ones around the table for meals filled with laughter. Ella’s joy, laughter, and warmth made her the cornerstone of her family.

In retirement, Ella and RW continued to share their love of history and western heritage through community outreach. With a team of mules and a chuckwagon, they taught rope-making and presented educational seminars across Oklahoma, often participating in Land Run Days and similar events. They carried on this work as long as their health allowed, preserving western traditions and passing them on to future generations.

Ella’s legacy is one of education, family, joy, and heritage. She believed in working hard, finding joy in each day, and sharing knowledge freely so others could grow.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bobby Culpepper; and her sister, Lela Smith.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, RW Sherrill; her daughters, Connie Nicklas and husband Jeff, Donna Argo and husband Elton, and Kristi Dill and husband Jeff; grandchildren, Logan Argo and wife Ashlee, Kayla Argo and partner Austin Ruggles, Emily Garfield and husband Jon, Jared Dill and wife Lynlee, and Rebecca Chambless and husband Garret; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Jack, and Waylon Argo; Ella Garfield; Darci, Jay, and Jesse Dill; and Conrad and Corbin Chambless.

Ella will be remembered as a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, an inspiring teacher, and a keeper of tradition. Her wisdom, laughter, and unconditional love will live on in all who knew her.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Independance Cemetery, Vinson, Oklahoma.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Harmon County Funeral Home, Hollis, Oklahoma.