Sherylyn Marie (Rhinehart) Jeffries went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 23, 2021 after battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for 8 years.
Sherylyn was born in St. Louis, Mo., on April 7, 1958 daughter of Gloria Jean (Edwards) Rhinehart and Charles Rhinehart. Her parents later divorced, and her mother remarried to John McDonald and she moved to Centralia, IL in 1967. Her stepfather, John McDonald, preceded her in death in August of 1998.
Sherylyn is survived by her mother, Gloria McDonald of Centralia, IL, ex-husband, Darrow Jeffries of Centralia, IL, son, Anthony Paul Brooks of Centralia, IL, grandson Elijah Paul Brooks of Centralia, IL, granddaughter, Isabelle Marie Brooks of Salem, IL, and a sister Catherine McDonald of Waltham, MA.
Sherylyn leaves behind a host of people who were near and dear to her heart. Dozens of family members and friends, including but not limited to Chequita, Denise, David, Charles, Michael, Ola, Lili, Trey, Kristi, Roxann, Anita, Gayla, Sheron, Peggy, Mary, Angela, Nathan, Willie, Merissa, Chris, Chuck.
Sherlyn is also survived by her best friend of over 40 years Georgette Jelks, who has proven that true friendship can endure anything and everything. Georgette blessed Sherylyn with two godchildren: Tiffany Maines and James Maines, whom she loved as her own.
Sherylyn was a 1976 graduate of Centralia High School and attended St. Louis Community College. For over 20 years she worked at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, where she served as a program manager and activities director. She later became Co-founder and Vice President of the Phoenix Group Foundation of Centralia, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of a homeless shelter.
In 2005, she returned to school and was a 2007 graduate of Kaskaskia College with an Associate of Arts. In 2013, deciding to fulfill her passion of being a professional writer, she enrolled in the Santa Fe University of Art and Design in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she attended until her illness prevented her return, just one semester shy of graduation. During her time there, Sherylyn authored multiple articles and began authoring her first book.
In the year prior to her illness, Sherylyn saw her articles published in the Santa Fe Annual Manual, SITE Santa Fe, and several other publications. Unfortunately, her illness prevented her from her completing her magnus opus, but it was her wish that it still be published at a later date.
The greatest joy in Sherylyn’s life were her grandchildren, Elijah and Isabelle. She loved spending time with Elijah, teaching him to cook. She could be found every holiday, in the kitchen with him, teaching him her secrets to preparing amazing family feasts. She took much pride in beginning to teach Isabelle about her culture, and what it means to be a strong woman of color.
Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is privileged to be assisting the family of Sherylyn Jeffries with arrangements. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Rev. Ronald Johnson officiating. A visitation time to offer condolences to the family will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday, January 29, 2021, at Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia and Saturday, January 30, 2021, starting at 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service where those in attendance will be asked to wear a mask and the number of people in the funeral home at one time will be limited. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to contribute to the college funds for her grandchildren. Online condolences and memories of Sherylyn may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
