Louise Seely was born April 22, 1918 in Storrs, Carbon County to George Willard Seely and Olive Pursy Dickman. Her birthday was celebrated on April 23 for 13 years, but her dad kept saying she was born on April 22, so they found her blessing certificate and it stated that her birthday was the 22. She was raised in Castle Dale and Price with five sisters and one brother. She started school in a big tent in Columbia, at the age of six. The following year a brick school house was built, and the tent was discarded. She attended third grade in Mohrland, completing her schooling in Castle Dale. She graduated from Central High School in 1963.
When she was 20 years old she met Ray Sherrill from Kniefley, Ken. He came to Castle Dale as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). They were married April 9, 1938 in Price.
They were blessed with a set of twins (Arden and Arlene) and followed by two more daughters (JoAnn and LaRae). Since that time, she has been blessed with 20 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees in 1945 and was sent to Okinawa. At that time they moved to Green River so Louise could be near her parents. After the war, Ray returned home and they bought Ray’s Tavern and operated it for 31 years. They were known for their honest and friendly dealings. There was no bank in Green River at that time so they went to Price to cash all the payroll checks in town. Louise never lowered her standards or integrity by working in a bar but worked 12-17 hours a day at the side of her husband.
In the 70s Louise took on a personal project of getting water to the cemetery in Grand County. It was barren and unattractive with the only green spot were the two trees that Louise and her family had kept growing near the graves of her family. By her constant effort and many trips to Moab she set up the project. After many hours of cleaning the grounds and preparing refreshments for the scouts, who helped rake the plots, she was finally able to start more than 50 trees, coaxed the city into fixing the fence and lay the pipe to the river, and set up a tank to water the trees. The cemetery is now one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the state. She also had a map drawn up where everyone is buried.
Louise is a loyal friend, a fine citizen and a good neighbor. She always raised a large garden and shared it with everyone. Simply put, Louise loves people and knows no strangers. Everyone was always welcome in her home and while they were there, were fed (regardless of the time of the day). Her visiting grandchildren can bring groups of 10 or 15 friends with them and Louise would find a place for all to stay. In fact, friends of her children who have broken down, while traveling and needed help, knew that a call to Louise Sherrill would be met with the needed assistance and a warm meal, while they waited.
Ray died in April 1988. She has been a widow for 18 years. She loves her yard, flowers and especially her rocks. She has been active in her church and community for many years and loves everyone she meets. She never judges other people and has never been “too good” for anyone, no one is her enemy. She loves her family and has made quilts or crochet items for them all.
She was a very hard worker and at age 83 was still working and volunteering at the John Wesley Powell Museum. Her children and grandchildren adore her and love to go home to grandma Sherrill’s. She can still beat us in a game of cards. We love you mom.
Senior of the Week: Louise Seely Sherrill
