Sherry Colley Liles, 1947-2026, passed away peacefully after a long battle with breast cancer

Sherry Colley Liles was born to the late John Owen Colley Sr. and Florence Stout Colley, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was the middle child, having an older brother of 5 years, John Owen Colley Jr, and a younger sister of 8 ½ years, Donna Colley Reardon. From a young age, Sherry had a strong Godly influence in her life from her mom and maternal grandmother, from whom she cultivated her lifelong passion for God’s kingdom. She was saved at a country church revival at 8 and was baptized that same year.

Sherry valued education deeply and loved to learn. She earned honors in high school and college and was the first in her family to both attend and graduate college. She walked the stage at Arkansas State University in 1969, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Sherry met the love of her life, Ron Liles, at age 18. They married in college in August of 1969 and were married for 57 wonderful years.

Sherry adored being a mother. Their first daughter, Alison, was born in 1975. Ryan “Bo” Liles was born in 1979. They moved to DeRidder, Louisiana, in 1972 where they were called to serve as Assistant Pastors of First Pentecostal Church of DeRidder. In late 1975 they moved to Fort Worth and became Senior Pastors of Calvary Church, where they served for over 40 years.

Sherry’s innate calling in life was that of a teacher. She taught language arts and Spanish in Arkansas for 3 years, and language arts in Louisiana for 3 ½ years. Even winning teacher of the year while in Louisiana. She also taught nearly every Sunday from age thirteen to the time she and Ron retired in 2015. One of her most outstanding qualities was her commitment to a cause greater than herself: the kingdom of God.

From teaching Sunday school, to Bible quizzing, to women’s conferences, to everything in between, Sherry’s legacy lives on in the generations of Christians she helped along the way. In 2018, Sherry was diagnosed with breast cancer and began the long road toward recovery. She fought hard for 8 years, and handled the assignment with courage, grace and dignity.

Sherry loved all things British, including her Fort Worth “cottage,” where she and Ron lived for 25 years together. She loved cooking, hosting, gardening, decorating, thrifting and shopping. She loved a challenging crossword puzzle, a good book, and a pretty bouquet of flowers. Above all she loved her family, her church, and her God.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, John Owen Colley Sr. and Florence Stout Colley; her brother, John Owen Colley Jr. of Jonesboro, AR.; and her daughter, Alison Nicole Andrews, of Burleson. She is survived by her husband, Ron Liles of Fort Worth; one son, Ryan Liles and wife, Heather of Fort Worth; her son-in-law, Justin Andrews, and his wife, Nancy of Burleson; one sister, Donna Reardon of Keller; six grandchildren, Chloe Littlefield and her husband Josh, Liam Andrews, Nathan Nakamura, Alex Nakamura, Hutson Liles, and Rumi Liles; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.

The Liles, Colley, and Andrews families would like to thank Pastors Tommy and Dinora Brandon, the Calvary Church family, Dr. Sanjay Ooman at Texas Oncology, and Dr. Vincint Lewis and Tracy Jones of Amedisys Hospice. Also, a special thanks to Sherry’s longtime housekeeper and dear friend, Janice Shelley, and to everyone who gave greetings, flowers, cards, texts, gifts, meals, and prayers.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Calvary Church, 700 McPherson Rd., Fort Worth 76140. The funeral will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Calvary Church, 700 McPherson Rd., Fort Worth 76140.

Greenwood Funeral Home, located at 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth 76107, is handling the funeral arrangements. Contact them at 817-336-0584 for more details.