"How do you thank the person who changed your life? If it hadn?t been for Sherma and her band of merry matchmakers, I would never have met ? let alone married ? her little brother, Dewayne, almost 50 years ago! I was friends with Sherma and her family, because we?d all attended the same church for several years. In the summer of 1973, she was also working at Los Banos Memorial Hospital, same as my mom and me, though I worked the 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. shift. I didn?t know Dewayne, who lived in Southern California, but I knew who he was. When he would visit, he often drove his nieces Jerri, Laurie and Barbie to our house to pick up my sister, Linda, who hung out with them. When he pulled up in his 1973 blue Monte Carlo to take them all to the May Day Fair, Mom made the comment as we looked out the front window, ?Isn?t he a good uncle?? It wasn?t long before Sherma and the ?gang? decided Dewayne and I had to meet! I knew a matchmaking plan was in the works. I figured they were welcome to try, but I wasn?t sure they would succeed! The next time Jerri came over to spend the night with Linda, she brought a photo of her uncle. It was a little blurry, but I thought he was cute. In June 1973, when Sherma and her family invited Linda on their vacation to Ramona in San Diego County, she called me during my hospital shift and asked if I could come down and join them (they were already in Southern California). I was hesitant ? after all, it was last minute, I hadn?t arranged to take time off for a trip, and it was a long way from Los Banos to San Diego. I said I didn?t think it would be possible, but I would check. Since my mom had worked at the hospital a very long time and essentially got me my job, I asked her if it was even realistic to try to go. Before I knew it, my time off was approved! Sherma heard that a teenage friend from church, who was also a coworker at my other job at Kentucky Fried Chicken, was planning to drive to San Diego and thought I could ride along with him. Without lifting a finger, I had time off, and I had a ride ? all orchestrated by Sherma! As it turned out, Dewayne was the kind of man I wanted to marry because Sherma and a dear family friend had witnessed to him and prayed with him to be saved years earlier. Sherma was a young adult when she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. From that moment on, she never doubted God?s power to save, transform and heal. Her prayer was that everyone would know and love Him, too. She was a faithful example of Proverbs 3:5-6: ?Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.? God led Sherma?s paths to countless adventures and ministry opportunities, but there is no doubt that the greatest joy of her life was being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to those she loved most. I will forever remember Sherma with great love and deep thankfulness. Annette Savage Williams"
In loving memory of
Sherma Jean Gould
March 21, 1938 - April 1, 2023
Sherma Jean Gould Wilcox passed away peacefully at home on April 1, 2023, at the age of 85.
She was born March 21, 1938, in Wickliffe, Kentucky, the eldest of Dalvia (Adams) and Roger Williams' six children.
The Williams family lived in Kentucky through Sherma's childhood, and she was about 11 years old when they moved to Southern California. They lived in San Diego County in the towns of El Cajon, Sunnyside and Bonita, and she graduated from Chula Vista High School.
She married Gerald Gould in 1957 and they welcomed four children, Jerri, Laurie, Barbie and David. When their children were still young, the family moved to the Central California town of Los Banos.
Sherma was deeply devoted to her family. Her love for her children was evident, as every time they walked into a room, her big blue eyes would light up with love for them. They never doubted for a moment that they were her world.
She was known for having strong work ethic and held a number of interesting jobs, including wedding coordinator at Little Chapel of the Roses, sales representative for Princess House crystal, bookkeeper at Memorial Hospital Los Banos and offering bookkeeping services to personal clients.
Faith was the foundation of Sherma's life. She attended church services and Bible study groups in Los Banos, and demonstrated her steadfast faith in Jesus Christ in all that she said and did, witnessing to and uplifting everyone she met.
Sherma is survived by her children Jerri Gould Terry, Laurie (Ken) Gould Sadler and David (Cathy) Gould; grandchildren Adam (Meaghan) Bernardo; Daniel (Caitlin) Freeman; Tiffany (Sean) Tharp; Melissa (Joshua) Houtekamer; Tori Terry; Maci (John) Dutra; Taylor (Alex) Pendley; and Joshua, Raegan, Lincoln and Justin Gould; great grandchildren Brooklyn and Beckham Tharp; Caiden, Millie and Maeve Bernardo; Carson and Lacie Freeman; Westin, Grayson and Brayden Houtekamer; and Jaxson and Tucker Tapia; siblings Callie (Jim) Robinson and Dewayne (Annette) Williams; sister-in law Helen McElvany; brother-in-law Michael (Sue) Robinson; husband Darrell Wilcox; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones, including Dan Fassino, and many lifelong friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Gould; daughter Barbie Gould Freeman; sister Gail Williams Robinson; brothers Donald
Williams and his wife, Valene, and Michael Wayne Williams, who died in infancy; and son in law Timothy Terry and many extended family members and friends.
Her funeral service is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Our Father's House Church, 1005 I St., Los Banos, Calif., 93635. Following the service she will be laid to rest at 11:30 a.m. at Los Banos Cemetery, 16575 S Center Ave.
Visit www.whitehurstfunerals.com/obitnmy/655276/sherma-jean-gould for information and to shme memories of Sherma.