DALTON LUTHER SHERROUSE, 89 Rancher & Farmer LAKELAND - 

Mr. Dalton Luther Sherrouse, age 89, died Tues., Jan. 23, 2007 

of cancer. Mr. Sherrouse is survived by his wife of almost 67 

years, Joyce; sons, Gerald and Kenneth, Lakeland, son, Dayton, 

Augusta, Ga.; daughter, Lois, Lakeland; daughters-in-law, Beckie, 

Lisa and Laura; son-in-law, Lamarr Murphy; 7 grandchildren; 4 

great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Shirley Wyatt and Genevieve 

Wyatt, Lakeland and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He 

was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Luther Sherrouse; 

brothers, Denver, Earl and Raymond; sisters, Oleta Bryant and 

Alvina Bryant. Mr. Sherrouse was a retired cattle rancher and 

farmer, the 5th generation of Florida ranchers and farmers. He 

relished long days working alongside his family, and always looked 

forward to a full and hearty meal. He was a faithful member of 

Bethel Baptist Church for 76 years, where he was very active in 

various leadership positions, and served as a Deacon for many 

years. He was a man of strong faith and personal integrity, and 

his reputation mattered to him. He was most proud of the long 

marriage he and his wife, Joyce, shared. He was a 3rd generation 

Floridian and was born and raised in Polk County, as were his 

father and grandfather. Because of his long and deep ties to Polk 

County and his sharp memory, he could always be counted on to 

provide important and entertaining details about long forgotten 

relations and events, and he enjoyed doing so. His always upbeat, 

positive attitude and pleasant temperament were what defined his 

character, personality and longevity. So obvious were these 

qualities that those meeting him for the first time immediately 

recognized and commented upon it. Perhaps most astonishing was 

his ability to sustain this attitude throughout the various stages 

of his life, even at the end of his life. He was a long time member 

of the Polk County Farm Bureau and the Polk County Cattleman's 

Association. He also served as a Poll Deputy for the Polk County 

Elections Office for many years, an activity he enjoyed greatly 

as it gave him opportunity to meet and exchange pleasantries with 

a variety of people. The family wishes to acknowledge the efforts 

and kindness of numerous caregivers over the past several years. 

Additionally, the care and concern provided by Oakbridge Healthcare 

and Good Shepherd Hospice is greatly appreciated. In lieu of 

flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bethel Baptist 

Church Building Fund, 3125 Socrum Loop Road W., Lakeland, Florida 

33810. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at 

Gentry-Morrison Northside Chapel with a celebration of a life to 

follow at Bethel Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at 

10:00 a.m. Interment at Socrum Cemetery will follow.

Published in the (Lakeland (sic)) Ledger on 1/25/2007.