In Memory
Sherrica LaShawn Taylor
November 10, 1977 ~ February 13, 2025 (age 47)
Sherrika Lashawn Taylor affectionately known as Sherrika "IamtheeCoachTaylor", was born into the world at 2lbs and 14oz and 16in long in Indianapolis, In, to Velvetta Jenkins and Ervin Lee Taylor. Sherrika came in the world fighting for her life, even at 2lbs she was strong and begin breathing on her own. Sherrika spent seven days in Indianapolis and was transported back to South Bend. Her journey begun in South Bend, In, where she attended Layfette elementary school, went to Navarre Middle School, and finished her Highschool education at Washington High School. Sherrika was an A and B student, a member of an Anti-Bullying Club, Member of the school Choir and attended the Upward Bound Program at Notre Dame.
After graduating from Washington Highschool, she attended Vincennes University, and shortly after her grandmother passed, she returned to her hometown of South Bend. She continued her education and earned an associate’s degree in Radio Broadcasting, an associate degree in Bartending in Dayton, Ohio, and earned an associate’s degree in pharmacy Technician, in Indianapolis, In, which she worked in the field for 13 years.
Sherrika was a hard-working girl at the age of 14 and continued to work hard, well off in her adult life. She later decided to enlist into the Army where she served for eight years, which one of those years she spent in Iraq fighting for her country and received serval metals and Honors: Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forced Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar Medal. She also formed a Gossip Choir while in Iraq and was head director and they sung at several different churches.
Sherrika was a beautiful soul inside and out and at a young age, she gave her life over to Christ and joined Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend. where she served in the choir, singing for the Lord. Sherrika loved to write songs, books, and plays. She had the opportunity to write a song for Bethlehem Mass Choir called “Hold On” along with writing a play for the children of Bethlehem.
Sherrika had a love for basketball so much that is what she lived for food and basketball. She loved the WNBA, but her favorite was college girls' basketball, her favorite being Notre Dame University girls' basketball team. Blue and gold was in her soul. Her love for basketball pushed her to soon became a basketball coach. In, coaching at a local church: Post Road Christian Church, and she went on to start her own basketball team called Circle City Breast, where she coached and mentored for many years.
Sherrika enjoyed life and believed in not letting anyone or anything get in her way of Living her Best Life! She was a NO NONSENSE person, but she was a Fair person. Sherrika loved her family and there was nothing she would not do for them. She had one the most beautiful smiles and her laugh was infectious and would make you laugh! Just because she was laughing, and her dimples would just shine through. So many of her family described her as a Light in their lives. What a blessing Sherrika was in all our lives. Lord knows Sherrika will be missed but will forever live in our Hearts and Lives. Sherrika became ill and had to have a double lung transplant in April of 2021. While she recovered from her surgery and begin to live life again, accomplishing things that brought her joy. Even purchasing her very first home Nov 1, 2024. She said that was one of many things on her bucket list. She was so very proud of herself, and Sherrika wanted to make sure her mother was happy and taken care of. She begun to experience some complications with her lungs on Jan 24, 2025, and she went on a ventilator. On Feb 13, 2025, she was taken off the ventilator, Sherrika had fought a good fight and peacefully transitioned to be with her Lord and Savior. (Feb 13, 2025 @2:30pm) She was honored by the hospital for her Courage, Her Fight, and Her ability to Bless another soul in need as she was an Organ Donor.
Sherrika leaves to cherish her memory, her loving mother Velvetta Jenkins, her one only brother Prince White, who she loved, all of South Bend, In, her only sister Gabriel Shellenbarger, who she loved, of St Louis, Missouri. Her two handsome nephews, who Sherrika loved dearly: Cam’Ron White, Calik White, all from South Bend In, and a God Nephew, Isiah Fields who she loved so much. Her beautiful grandmother, Clare Taylor of South Bend, In, Nine aunts: Anna Fergerson, Alfreda Jenkins, Jacqueline Anderson, Mary (Damon) Pittman Christal Colbert all of South Bend, In, Tina (Michael) Patton of Granger, In, Vickie (Clarence) Barnes of Orange Park, Fl, Courtney Sutton of Kokomo, In and Loretta (Jason) Russell of Federal Way, Wa. Seven uncles: Charles (Remona) Jenkins Jr, Trigvree Jenkins, Hiawatha Jenkins, Robert Taylor Jr, and Michael Taylor all of South Bend, In, Zachary Taylor of Ft. Wayne, In and Tony (Wanda) Taylor of Raleigh, NC One great uncle Zeb Gathright Jr. of Indianapolis, In. All her First cousins (Girl's) who she loved and had a special bond with each of them. She loved and respected her cousins, Sheila Moore of Chicago, Il, and Annie Ward of Indianapolis, In and Loretta Fulce of Pheonix, Az. Her First cousin Lamar (Rhonda) Jenkins, who was like her twin brother, who she loved and was so very proud of him, they had an unbreakable bond. Four best friends Lakeesha (Terrance) Perkins, Charlene Williams of South Bend, In, Nakia Perkins of Nashville, Tn, and Erica Ellington of Indianapolis, In Godmothers: Frannie Fran of Indianapolis and Victoria Jackson of South Bend, In. Godparents: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Powell of South Bend, In. Special Ladies who she loved and respected; Sister Essie Miller, Sue (Tommy) James, all of South Bend, Patricia Davis of Mishawaka, In, Larae Love of Westerville, Ohio, and Stella McConnell South Haven, Mississippi All of her cousins, God Brothers, God Sisters and many friends who loved her.
Proceeding her in death are her father, Earvin Lee Taylor who passed away 9 days before Sherrika, her Grandfather Robert Lee Taylor, Sr., her Loving Grandparents Ida M. Jenkins and Charles Jenkins Sr., her Aunt Tammy Michelle Jenkins, and her uncle Jerry Gathright.
Alford's Mortuary has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent to alfordsmortuary@att. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11am. Celebration of life will be at 12 pm at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
03/19/2025 djb
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