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Holmes mourns loss of Grenada Campus student Marianna Sherman
Holmes Community College mourns the loss of Grenada Campus student and Charleston native Marianna Faith Sherman. Only 18 years old, Marianna lost her life in an automobile accident on Saturday, April 28, near Brazil (a community in Tallahatchie County).
"Our sweet Marianna is so very missed!" said Grenada Campus instructor Amy Land. "Marianna had a servant's heart, beginning her educational journey in nursing and moving to education. Though she was often quiet, she was so loved amongst her peers. She loved her family, her friends and her fashion.
"She was an excellent student and she would have been an excellent teacher to so many children. She led her life with purpose. She lit up a room with her sweet smile. Some said, when she smiled, it was like a little ray of sunshine – you couldn't help but feel the warmth. Although Marianna did not get to journey through this life as a servant as she intended, the legacy of her servant's heart lives on in such a tangible way as many children, due to her petite frame, will benefit from her organs, bones, and bone marrow. Although we are pained to know that she is no longer with us, we are relieved not having to wonder where her soul rejoices as her shell rests."
Funeral services were held on May 4 at Adams Arbor Church of God of Prophecy with interment following in the church cemetery. Womble Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
One of Marianna's classmates in the elementary education program, Madison Brewer, wrote a poem for Marianna's family.
"Marianna was such a happy person," Madison said. "She really was just full of sunshine and though she was quiet, would never hesitate to do anything for someone else. I know she would have been an amazing teacher, but God had other plans for her life."
In addition to the poem Madison wrote, other members of the EDU 1613 class honored Marianna's memory, as well. Alyssa Fennel had the poem matted and framed to give the Sherman family, Marcia Stark brought roses to place on Marianna's desk during class time and Jordan Ritchie drew a sketch of her. Mrs. Land and the students gave the Sherman family all of these items along with a potted yellow rose bush to plant so they will always be reminded of the sunshine Marianna shared at Holmes.
"Marianna was such a sweet and caring person," Marcia said. "When she was in class, she was like a ray of sunshine that always brightened up our class. I called her our little Barbie doll. No matter what she had on, she was beautiful! The first day we were back in class after her accident, I couldn’t stand the thought of someone sitting in her seat so I stopped and bought two roses to put on her desk to save her seat. She would have been an excellent teacher with her kind heart and spirits. My prayers go out to her family daily." Marianna's family includes her parents, Christopher and Vicki Sherman of Holcomb; her brother and fellow Holmes student, Phillip Sherman and her grandparents, Jamie and Yvonne Winters of Holcomb and Nick and Phyllis Sherman of Enid.
The family requests memorials be made to LeBonheur Children's Hospital.
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IN THIS PHOTO: Pictured is Marianna Faith Sherman, the Holmes Community College Grenada Campus student who tragically passed away on April 28.