Sherrial K. (Neas) Taylor

    Sherrial K. (Neas) Wessley Taylor was born July 11,1936 the eldest daughter of Cawood I. and Lanelle (Duncan) Neas. At the age of 84 she completed a life well lived, after a lengthy illness, on Monday, November 9, 2020 at Morningside Assisted Living, Nevada, Mo.

      Sherry, as she was known as, until the Grandchildren came along, then becoming “Grammy”, was raised in Nevada, graduating with the class of 1954. She was presented with the NHS Tigerette Honor Award in 1952. Sherry was known for her ascerbic wit, strong opinions, and unfailing loyalty to those she deemed worthy.

     After graduation, Sherry moved to Kansas City where she was employed by a large law firm downtown for several years, becoming proficient as a legal assistant. Sherry then returned to her hometown, where she was employed by the Farm and Home Attorney Group for several years. Sherry then accepted a position at Cottey College as Administrative Assistant to the President at Cottey, she met and married Harold “Wess” Wessley, the dashing Physical Plant manager. They were happy to blend their families. Wess and Sherry enjoyed many years together, building (literally), their dream farm home, square dancing, camping, entertaining family and friends. Sherry and Wess were insistent upon caring for and spoiling their two youngest grandchildren, Megan Wessley Foster, and Dalton Wessley, until they went to preschool, as there was not a babysitter anywhere “good enough.”

       Sherry was talented at anything she attempted, baking, cooking, sewing, painting, crochet, knitting, needlepoint, preserving garden produce. She loved antiques and was very educated and became a large collector. Sherry was a lover of animals, always having a cat-or three, and a dog or two living with her at all times as beloved family members. She loved to bestow interesting names on them.

     After Wess’s death, Sherry re-educated herself in the Insurance business and was employed by American Family Insurance. Sherry then moved to Houston, Texas to assist her brother-in-law Bob Wessley with his business. In Houston, Sherry met and married John Taylor. They enjoyed traveling, and she became the “Chief cook and bottle washer” for his Flying Cloud, sailboat crew, cheering them on to many racing victories from the shore, as she became sea-sick. Sherry and John retired to her parents’ family farm where she embraced the life of growing flowers, bird and wildlife watching, and spending time with her local grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After John’s death, and Sherry’s failing health, she relocated to Morningside Assisted living, where she was able to remain, with staff and family assistance. Sherry became a Christian at a young age and was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church at the time of her passing.

     Sherry is survived by son, Terry(Tonia) Wessley, Diamond, MO, daughter, Lurlene (Nick) Hudelson, Lenexa, KS, Daughter, Charlette (Steve) Oliaro, Lexington, MO, daughter-in-law, Marie (Andy) McCullough, Nevada, MO; daughter-in-law, Diana Wessley, Carl Junction, MO; grandchildren, Nathan (Becca) Wessley, Willard, MO, Dalton (Arielle) Wessley, Walker, MO, Megan (Kellan) Foster, Carl Junction, MO, Melissa (Scott) Stubblefield, St. Louis, MO, Nick Hudelson III, St. Louis, MO, Wes Hudelson (Melissa), Lenexa, KS, Stephanie (Scott) Anderson, Lexington, MO, Michelle (Marlin) Roach, Cameron, MO, Joseph (Katie) Oliaro, Shawnee, KS; 18 great-grandchildren; local “Grammy’s Blessings”, Addilyn Mae Wessley, Ava, Maddux, Cruz Foster; nephews, Matthew (Joyce) Swearingen, Joseph (Sarah) Swearingen and family, Jadyn and Carter Swearingen; numerous cousins, Neas and Duncan family, family of John Taylor; Morningside of Nevada caregivers Lindsey, RN, Heartland Hospice “Angel”. Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Cawood and Lanelle Neas, husband, Harold “Wess” Wessley, husband, John Taylor, son, Jayson Wessley, beloved sister, Lamae Neas Bryant, nephew, Jeff Swearingen.

     The family will receive friends on Friday, November 13th, 2020 from 6-7:00 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Cremation with private family inurnment will be held at Moore Cemetery at a later date.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Jude’s Research and Children’s Hospital and may be left at the funeral home.

  ***At this time there is no longer a statewide limitation on the number of people attending funerals or visitations, however those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing, and that people are welcome to and, indeed, are encouraged to wear face mask to protect themselves and others.

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