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- !OBITUARY:Sharon Elaine Mangus
Our Beloved Daughter, Sister, Mom, Cousin, Friend
Sharon “Sherrie” Elaine Mangus, 58, of Olympia, WA went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, August 16, 2020. She is survived by her two precious daughters, Camellia “Cami” Gillory (Byron) of Wylie, TX, and Melissa Hills of Tumwater, WA, and four grandchildren, Leyla and Elijah “Eli” Slavish, Tasha and Saleen Hills; father and mother, Ervin and June Mangus of Brimfield, IL and Elma, WA, and four brothers and sisters: Jeff (Tasha) of Olympia, WA, Janette (Larry) of Peoria, IL; Karla (Marty) of Kinston, NC; and Nathan of Rozet, WY, numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Sherrie was predeceased by her sister Linda Bomhold of Beaverton, Oregon.
Sherrie was born on October 17, 1961, in Seattle, WA, the fourth of six children, to Ervin and June Mangus. The family lived in Des Moines, WA and then moved to Brimfield, IL in 1967. She graduated from Brimfield High School in 1979. She was curious and caring, soft but strong, and also firm but free-spirited. Her Grandma Starkey called Sherrie “her little butterfly” as she’d just flit from one place to another, evidence of her free spirit yet to come. After graduation that free spirit led her across the country hitchhiking, her adventurous ways causing just a bit of worry to her loved ones.
She had a baby girl at a young age and selflessly gave her up for adoption so the child could have a better life. Sherrie rejoiced when that girl, Cami, reached out to her years later. She was so happy to discover she was raised in a Christian family by her father and mother, Andy and Sue Hackney, loving and caring parents to whom Sherrie will be eternally grateful. Sherrie treasured the time they had together, she called it her “Cami time,” and she was thrilled to have her in her life, the baby girl she loved so much but could only wonder about.
She had a second daughter, Baby Melissa, and raised her as a single mom, struggling at times, but getting by with the help of church members, family and friends. She jokingly called herself the “black sheep” of the family, perhaps secretly liking the moniker a little. Science and Medicine captured Sherrie’s interest and she earned a Medical Assistant degree (Associate of Applied Science) from Midstate College in Peoria, IL, and later worked in the medical field as a phlebotomist.
After a time she returned to the west with her daughter Melissa, first to Oregon, and then Washington State where she “settled down,” eventually finding her calling as a “flagger” and then advancing her way up to her goal of “traffic control supervisor (TCS)” working with road construction crews all over the state. This was a job she absolutely loved as she could talk about it for hours. When her oldest sister, Linda, was ill and dying Sherrie took off an entire summer from this job she loved to be a caregiver to her. Sherrie was gifted with a mechanical mind, and in her sister’s last days that talent no doubt came in handy in a world of wheelchairs and such.
She was affectionately named “Motor Mouth” by her family as she loved to talk, her exuberance sometimes earning her a gentle shush from others. Her sense of humor was unparalleled and she loved to make others laugh, often amusing them with her expressive nature. Anyone blessed enough to be around her would find themselves laughing, sooner or later. In her later years she oft sought the things of God, demanding family Bible study frequently, her curious nature seeking to know more about Him. Sherrie, we all miss you, your voice, your laughter ... and your free spirit.
!NOTES:Was cremated. Has a marker on the Mangus Tree Farm.
Mangus Family Cemetery, Elma, Grays Harbor Co, WA;
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1961 - 2020 (58 years)