LAKELAND -- Mr. Earl Walter Sherrouse of Lakeland died of cancer Saturday (June 26, 2004) at his home. He was born June 23, 1923, he was a lifelong resident of Lakeland. He was a rancher and cattleman. He worked for Lakeland Packing Co. for 25 years. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. > Mr. Sherrouse is survived by his wife, Martha Sherrouse; daughter, Kathy Watkins, Lakeland; brother, Dalton Sherrouse, Lakeland; sisters, Shirley Wyatt, Geneva Wyatt and Oleta Bryant, all of Lakeland; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday at Lanier Funeral Home, Lakeland. Services will be held  Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church, Lakeland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, 31125, W. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, FL.  33801.-Ledger,June 28, 2004

> DALTON LUTHER SHERROUSE -  89 - Rancher & Farmer - h/o- Joyce Goodman Sherrouse

LAKELAND - Mr. Dalton Luther Sherrouse, died Tues., Jan. 23, 2007 of cancer. Mr. Sherrouse was a retired cattle rancher and farmer, the 5th generation of Florida ranchers and farmers. He relished long days working alongside his family, and always looked forward to a full and hearty meal. He was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church for 76 years, where he was very active in various leadership positions, and served as a Deacon for many years. He was a man of strong faith and personal integrity, and his reputation mattered to him. He was most proud of the long marriage he and his wife, Joyce, shared.  He was a 3rd generation Floridian and was born and raised in Polk County, as were his father and grandfather.   Because of his long and deep ties to Polk County and his sharp memory, he could always be counted on to provide important and entertaining details about long forgotten relations and events, and he enjoyed doing so. His always upbeat, positive attitude and pleasant temperament were what defined his character, personality and longevity. So obvious were these qualities that those meeting him for the first time immediately recognized and commented upon it. Perhaps most astonishing was his ability to sustain this attitude throughout the various stages of his life, even at the end of his life. He was a long time member of the Polk County Farm Bureau and the Polk County Cattleman's Association. He also served as a Poll Deputy for the Polk County Elections Office for many years, an activity he enjoyed greatly as it gave him opportunity to meet and exchange pleasantries with a variety of people. > Mr. Sherrouse is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Joyce; sons, Gerald and Kenneth, Lakeland, son, Dayton, Augusta, Ga.; daughter, Lois, Lakeland; daughters-in-law, Beckie, Lisa and Laura; son-in-law, Lamar Murphy; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Shirley Wyatt and Genevieve Wyatt, Lakeland and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. > He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Luther Sherrouse; brothers, Denver, Earl and Raymond; sisters, Oleta Bryant and Alvina Bryant. The family wishes to acknowledge the efforts and kindness of numerous caregivers over the past several years. Additionally, the care and concern provided by Oakbridge Healthcare and Good Shepherd Hospice is greatly appreciated.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bethel Baptist

> JOYCE GOODMAN SHERROUSE – 83- Homemaker  - w/o - Dalton Luther Sherrouse
LAKELAND - Mrs. Joyce Goodman Sherrouse died Saturday, December 15, 2007 of heart failure. Mrs. Sherrouse was born and raised in Polk County as were her parents. She had been an active member of Bethel Baptist Church since 1948. Her strong faith and the love and care of family sustained her throughout life. She devoted her life to making a home for her family and working alongside her beloved husband, Dalton, in their farming and cattle ranching business. At the time of his death in January 2007, they had been married almost 67 years.  For many years, Mrs. Sherrouse, along with her husband, volunteered at local precincts for the Polk County Elections Office, and she was always very involved in her community and with helping others in a variety of ways. She enjoyed fishing and singing, especially with her sister, Gladys, as well as attending family reunions. She was quite accomplished at crocheting and sewing and made many works of art over the years. She was known throughout the Socrum community for her cooking skills and, as with many southern women, she equated food and plenty of it with hospitality, comfort, and friendship. Her life was one of duty and devotion to her husband, family, friends, and God. > She is survived by her sons, Gerald and Kenneth, Lakeland, son, Dayton, Augusta, GA; daughter, Lois Murphy, Lakeland; daughters-in-law, Beckie, Laura, and Lisa; son-in-law, Lamarr Murphy; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. > Mrs. Sherrouse was preceded in death by her husband, Dalton Luther Sherrouse, and her parents, Viola and Bihue Goodman. > Mrs. Sherrouse was the last remaining sibling of 11 children, having been preceded in death by sisters: Dollie Tillman, Eunice West, Margaret Waters, Gladys Mixson, Lucille Bragg, Miriam Goodman, Alice Goodman, and brothers: Leslie, Everett, and Willis. The family wishes to acknowledge the efforts and kindness of numerous caregivers