Sherlie Doherty Obituary

Sherlie Marie (Shropshire) Doherty

March 26, 1944 - June 30, 2025

Sherlie M. (Shropshire) Doherty, 81, of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 30, 2025, after a lengthy hospital stay, with her family by her side.

Born in Martinsville, Virginia, on March 26, 1944, Sherlie was the daughter of the late Joseph Eldridge "Eli" Shropshire and Verna Carolyn (Thomas) Shropshire. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Jonah Thomas "Jay" Shropshire, and her nephew, Richard Thomas "Rusty" Shropshire.

She is survived by her sister, Donna K. Shropshire of Richmond; her beloved husband of 57 years, Robert P. "Pat" Doherty Jr.; her sons, Robert Michael Doherty and Adam P. Doherty (L. Nicole Doherty); and her cherished grandsons, Alexander James "Alex" Doherty and Edward Saks "Teddy" Doherty.

Sherlie graduated from Martinsville High School in 1962 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Radford College in 1966. After graduation, she embarked on a trip around the world, a journey that sparked a lifelong passion for travel.

Over the course of her 42-year career in public education, Sherlie taught art, history, and English at the high school level in Virginia Beach, and middle school in Everett, Washington. She also taught first grade in Martinsville and served as an art teacher at all elementary school grades in Henrico County and Roanoke City. The final decade of her career, she was a fourth-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary School in Roanoke City.

Sherlie was a devoted lover of art, history, culture, cuisine, and regional heritage. Her artistic spirit touched every part of her life, from creating art and decorating to gardening and cooking. She enjoyed both creating and appreciating art in many forms and served as a member of the Roanoke Arts Commission from 1995 to 2000.

Sherlie traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, many with her husband, Pat. Together they explored Europe and the British Isles, and cruised through the Panama Canal and along the Alaskan coast. They shared a deep love for life, each other, and their family, especially their grandsons, with whom they spent countless joyful hours, playing and using life's opportunities to teach them many useful life skills.

Sherlie was an unbelievably interesting, creative, intelligent, artistic, beautiful, and vivacious person, with a personality to match. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and especially by her husband.

Consistent with her wishes, Sherlie will be cremated and her remains interred at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke, Virginia. No public funeral or memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made in Sherlie's name to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be shared with her family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - South Chapel

Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131