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GIRARD -- Dr. Sherry Ann Cooley Faulk, 75, left this life peacefully Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, surrounded by family, following complications of a short illness.
She was born Dec. 20, 1950, in Ashtabula, a daughter of Thomas C. and Magrea Gilmore Cooley, residing in the area for eight years, coming from Alliance.
Sherry was employed with the Ohio Department of Education for 40 years before retiring in 2021, and her last 12 years served as a curriculum consultant for the Stark County Educational Service Center and the Tri-County ESC. Sherry spent 28 years in the Ashtabula Area County Schools, where she was a cheer advisor, girls basketball and volleyball coach, English teacher, and vice principal at Ashtabula High School and a principal for West Junior High School.
Sherry graduated in 1968 from Ashtabula High School and in 1972 from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She went on to graduate in 1974 from Youngstown State University with a master's degree in education administration, receiving a superintendent certificate, and in 1999 from Newburg Theological Seminary with a doctorate degree specializing in Christian education.
She was a member of the St. James Church of God in Christ, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a prayer warrior. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, rodeos, traveling, playing the piano, reading, classic cars, attending all-around sporting events, art works from African artists and collectibles, tinkering with new gadgets and ideas and was a fashionista. Sherry received a Proclamation from the City of Ashtabula County Officials for her years of dedicated service and the NAACP Administrator of the Year Award for her commitment to education.
She married Lawrence Rodman Faulk on Nov. 27, 2002.
Besides her husband of Girard, she leaves to mourn one stepson, Lawrence R. Faulk II of Las Vegas, Nevada; two stepdaughters, Ms. Maria H. Faulk, also of Las Vegas, and Ms. Fionna M. Faulk of Phoenix, Arizona; her mother, Ms. Magrea Cooley of Liberty Township; one brother, Donnie (Brenda) Cooley of Ashtabula; two sisters, Ms. Theresa Clark, also of Ashtabula, and Ms. Debbie Wofford of Madison; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Cooley.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at the St. James Church of God in Christ, with calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery.
In addition, a memorial service is being planned for a later date in Ashtabula.
Arrangements of comfort were handled by the Sterling-McCullough Williams Funeral Home.
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