Sherman L. Whaley

Sherman L. Whaley was born in Lobata, West Virginia on August 13, 1937 to the late Cole B. and Rose L. Whaley. Sherman was the third oldest of ten children, Blanche, Cole Jr., Shirley, (Deceased), Bobby (Gaynell), Addie, Pat, Pegi, Larry and Michael.

Sherman began his young life as a nurturer and care giver, fervently believing that family is the greatest gift from God, and he spent his entire life, embracing that ideal.

From the time he was a young child, he dreamed of different ways to make money. While in elementary school, his jobs ran the gamut from washing glasses in a bar, to sitting with many elderly and infirm, all which kept the industrious youngster independent.

After graduating from Belfry High School in Kentucky, Sherman attended West Virginia State College, and in 1959 he became a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. With two years of college under his belt, Sherman left and joined the Army. After serving two years in Korea, he came back to the states and lived in New York with his sister Blanche. He carried mail for one year, but quit to return to Cleveland where most of his family was living. Restless and looking for work, Sherman landed a job at Jones & Laughlin Steel which later became LTV.

In 1965 Sherman met and courted Carmen Malcomb. After a whirlwind courtship, they married and to that union one son, Sherman Jr. was born. Sherman's son and wife were the center of his life, and the proud father taught Sherman Jr. early on strong values such as, "Your word is your bond, and a handshake is as valuable as a contract." He spent most of his off time with his son, fishing, go cart racing, and kiting. His wife Carmen said that after God, Big Sherman, as she affectionately called him was her, "Life line." She often said that every day with Sherman was exciting. He was intrepid, strong, and bold. Yet as strong as he was, he was equally as tender and loving. He teased her daily telling her she was the best loved woman in the world, and she was.

Sherman also loved his daughter Teresena Mitchell of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and son Dean Marshall of Anchorage Alaska. Both were an integral part of his life, and brought him much happiness and pride. Some of Sherman's happiest moments were spent with his grandchildren, Danielle, Morgan, Maxine, McKenzie, Travis , Christopher, and Ariel who cared so tenderly for him during his last illness.. He cooked and entertained them royally every chance he got. He taught them, as he did his son, that all that you send into the lives of others comes back into your own. He and his siblings also shared many, many great times together, even though many lived out of state.

In 1982, Sherman was baptized into the Catholic faith. He became a faithful member of St. Timothy's Parish in Garfield Heights, where he was active in the Holy Name Society, and the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. Every year his bean pies were a hit at Holy Name's bake sale, and sold out before Mass even started. In 2005, The Knights & Ladies of St. Peter Claver presented Sherman with, "The Archbishop James P. Lyke African-American Male Image Award."

A profound advocate for higher education, Sherman was just as ardent in his beliefs that a man should also know a trade. While working at LTV, Sherman owned and operated his own business, Sherman's Towing. He towed junk cars in between a busy schedule at the Steel Mill. While still at the Mill, he began toying with the idea of making glass block windows. He made his own, and with that success, he ventured out and began a cottage industry calling it "Whaley and Son Construction." Soon all of his neighbors on MLK employed him to make their windows. Sherman and his crew made quite a name for themselves throughout the city, not only installing block windows, but building room additions and etc. His granddaughter Ariel was reported to tell a neighbor that her papa could do everything from bake bean pies to build garages. Everyone knew what a great cook he was, although ribs were his specialty.

Ten years after Sherman retired from the Mill, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After mega doses of chemo and radiation, his cancer went into remission. Sherman couldn't sit still. He began Max's Transportation, transporting non-ambulatory people to and from medical appointments. Carmen often remarked, It's more of a ministry than a job." He buys hats and gloves for the clients when it's cold, and lunch and dinner for the hungry. That's just him, and that's why I love him so much." After seven years in remission, the cancer returned in his bone marrow. After a harrowing bone marrow transplant, another remission. Then Prostate cancer and more radiation. Then a return of the Lymphoma. In 2016, cancer of the larynx, and then a return of bone marrow cancer.I

They say that James Brown was the hardest working man in show business. We say that Sherman L. was the hardest working man on this earth. He never stopped working, he never complained. He said, time and again, "I might be down, but I'm not out." Sherman Lawrence Whaley was a mighty, mighty soldier. His love, his generosity, his strength, his courage and compassion, catapulted him far beyond the realm of ordinary men, he was truly an EXTRAORDINARY man. And he did it all his way.

Sherman leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved wife, Carmen, his
devoted and cherished son, Sherman Jr., (Nina), loving daughter, Terasena Mitchell (Mark), loving son, Dean Marshall, granddaughters, Ariel, Danielle Johnson (Ben) Morgan, Maxine, McKenzie, grandsons Christopher, and Travis, (Rachel), great grandchildren, Lucas, Zachary, and Hannah, Loving siblings, Blanche Whaley, Cole Whaley, Bobby Whaley, (Gaynell), Addie Whaley, Patricia Adams, Pegi Saunders, Michael and Larry Whaley. A loving brother in law, Ladd Malcomb, cherished Aunt, Fairy Coleman, loving Godson, Tyric Green, many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, and many, many wonderful and caring neighbors and friends.

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