Sherry Lorraine Willoughby

Sherry Lorraine Willoughby, age 52, passed away on June 9, 2026, at home in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by family. She was born on December 18, 1973, in Kansas City, Missouri to Harold Ward and Minnie Marie Willoughby.

Sherry grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, attending church, and accepting Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. Sherry was educated in the Kansas City Public School District, attending Paseo Middle School and graduating from De La Salle Education Center. After high school, she attended MEDS CNA Training Program in Independence, Missouri, where she received certifications as a CMT and a CNA. In 1997 she began her career in Nursing where she worked for 28 years. Sherry retired in 2022 after learning she had Stage 4 Liver Cancer.

Sherry loved taking care of her patients and their loved ones. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and her friends. She was always the life of the party. To know Sherry, you couldn’t help but love her. She was a “true” friend, a beautiful person, inside and out. She will be deeply missed.

In September 2022, Sherry was diagnosed with Stage 4 Liver Cancer. She fought a good fight for 4 years. In January 2026 it started to take a toll on her. The doctors had done all that they could do. On June 9, 2026, God called Sherry on home. She was preceded in death by her mother; her brothers, Stanley Willoughby and Floyd Willoughby; and by her youngest son’s father, Manuel Terrell Pickens Sr.

Left to cherish Sherry’s sweet memory: her three sons: Damon King Jr., Antwoine King (Amy) and Manuel Terrell Pickens Jr.; her grandchildren: Elijah, Emiha and Antwoine Jr.; her father, Harold Ward; brothers: Kerry Willoughby (Thereasa), Otis Willoughby and Earnest Willoughby; her very close friends: Ms. Val Brooks Davis, Erica Collins, Derrick Walker, Mario Gant and NaKeva Coleman; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other dear family and friends.