Betty Zane (Martin) Sherrod

Betty Zane Martin Sherrod, our beloved mother and grandmother, died on Friday, November 29, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones. She died as she lived - sweetly, gently and peacefully. She has left the Church on Earth to join the Church Triumphant in Heaven. She was a much loved and respected wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, pastor, mentor and friend.

Betty was born in Dekalb County, Georgia on July 1, 1931 to Lena Carrie Elam and Herman Vonstrow Martin. She graduated from Avondale High School and received a B.A. degree from Montreat College. She was honored to receive the True Spiritual Vision Award at the end of her college career. She began home mission work through the Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Kentucky. She was an English teacher and later was called to the ministry as a Presbyterian lay pastor. One of her great joys in life was to serve Gulf and Wayside Presbyterian churches. She also led many church activities, including; teaching Sunday School, Bible Moderators, various Bible study groups, and was an Elder on the Session at First Presbyterian Church. Betty was honored when she received the Presbyterian Women’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Betty was instrumental in starting the Chaplain Program at Central Carolina Hospital. She was a member of the Otherwise Book Club. Betty also enjoyed many friends throughout the Sanford community. She was an excellent listener and always kept her focus on others.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Burton Sherrod and their son, the Reverend Marc Sherrod, Th.D. She is survived by her children, her deceased son’s wife, and their families who are: Marty, Becky, Harrison and McKinley Sherrod of Chicago, Illinois; David, Anne, Matthew and Elizabeth Beal of Sanford; daughter-in-law Melanie, Caleb, Hannah Sherrod Lewis and husband Alex, Jordan and Eden Sherrod of Kingston, Tennessee; The Reverend David, Alice, Meredith, and Christopher and wife Heather Sherrod of Pittsboro; Nancy, Harold, Tyler and Hamilton James of Sanford; and the Reverend Jonathan, Dr. Camille and Zane Sherrod of Knightdale. She is also survived by numerous other relatives, friends and church families.

A Service of Worship, Celebration and Witness to the Resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Sanford on Thursday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. Prior to the service, burial will take place at 10:00 a.m., Buffalo Cemetery. After the service, the family will greet friends in the Harper Center.

Betty’s family has requested in lieu of flowers that any memorial gifts be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 203 Hawkins Ave., Sanford, 27330. 

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