Sharon McNair (August 18, 1948 - November 25, 2022)

In loving memory of
Sharon McNair
  • August 18, 1948
  • -
  • November 25, 2022

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Obituary

Reflections of Life

 

Sharon Ann McNair was born on August 18, 1948, in Paterson, NJ, and was the eldest of 5 siblings.

 

Sherry as she was called by her family and friends spent her youth and childhood in the neighboring towns of Glen Rock and Ridgewood, NJ, and graduated from Ridgewood H.S. in the mid-1960s. Sherry then went on to attend New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and Design to pursue her dream of fashion and modeling which she did for a short period of time when she met a young up-and-coming designer who went by just one name–Halston. Later (early ‘70s), she was hired to work at Macy’s New York in the cosmetics department.  And yes, she worked behind the scenes for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sherry was actually one of the first women of color to work in the cosmetics line for Macy’s. She was there to launch first the Flori Roberts line for the “bronze” tone.  And in ‘73 to launch, and lead the Fashion Fair line of cosmetics for Black Women.  She was a pioneer in her own right. Sherry worked there for several years.  Sherry lived with her brother Brad and his family in their basement apartment for several years and early in 1989 Sherry visited her sisters Terri and Marlene in St Croix USVI and fell in love with the Island. She knew she’d come back again someday.  Sometime later she began to have a yearning in her heart for something but she didn’t know what so She enrolled in and graduated from Passaic County Community College with an Associate’s Degree.  Event Planning was on her mind.  However, that yearning was God’s Holy Spirit wooing her to His salvation. She gave her life to the Lord and began to be hungry for God’s word and direction.  She took a job with Jews for Jesus in San Francisco, CA, and worked for them for a few years.  She would often say she learned a LOT about the Old Testament working for that organization.  After a series of several events, Sherry found herself living in Florida for a short time before she decided it was time for her to put her event planning skills to work.  She moved to St Croix and was the event planner for a business called Reliable Rentals.  She spearheaded the event “A Taste of St. Croix” which was an event hosted by the Governor of the 3 US Virgin Islands.  That year they won the Governor’s Certificate for being the best Event Planning Entity of all 3 islands.  Sherry worked for just a few years then retired to Belize where she lived before returning to Florida to reside with her sister, where she spent her latter days.  Sherry has always been a creative and always enjoyed drawing, painting, writing, gardening, and even doing some balloon art.  Sherry was an inspiration to the doctors and nurses in her last days and they even attested to this fact. 

 

Preceding her in death were her parents Joyce Redden Thomas and  Monroe McNair, step-father Leonard S. Thomas; brother Ellis Kevin Thomas, and sister Marlene Thomas Craig.

 

Sherry is survived by her sister Terrell Annette Thomas (Terri), brother Walter Bradford Thomas (Brad) wife Vicki, nieces Dr. Lauren Thomas Quigley (husband Chris); Dr. Jessica Thomas Kramer (husband Adam), Whitney Thomas Morrison (husband Eucklyn), Yvette Jackson, and nephew Adrian Jackson (AJ).  And a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

 

The memorial service for Sherry will be Saturday, December 3rd, at 11:00 AM at the McGregor Baptist Church (Room H-100). 

In lieu of flowers, please feel welcome to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (click HERE) or Wounded Warrior Project (click HERE).


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  1. Terri Thomas posted an image:
    01 Dec 2022
    Sharon McNair (SHERRY)<br />
Resting in the arms of the Lord. You will be missed, but never forgotten.
    Sharon McNair (SHERRY)
    Resting in the arms of the Lord. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

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