John 16:22
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."

Guided by Angels surrounding her, Sheryl, better known as "Luigi," left earth and transitioned to her heavenly home on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Hampton, VA.

Sheryl was born to Maceo Alphonso Adkinson and Thelma Brown Adkinson on August 24, 1949 in Newport News, VA. She was the youngest of four daughters born to this union.

Sheryl was educated in the public schools of Newport News and graduated from Huntington High School in 1968. She retired from McDonald's Nursery in Hampton, VA after 25 years of service. She became quite knowledgeable about plants and how to care for them and shared this knowledge with numerous family and friends over the years.

She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, 23rd and Jefferson Avenue, now First Church of Newport News (Baptist) and served as a Life member of the Sarah Circle of the A.A. Galvin Missionary Ministry, the Feed the Hungry Food Service Committee and Wednesday evening Bible study. She was a willing participant in all church activities and programs and loved her First Church family.

Her favorite activities were talking and being a comic. Sheryl could talk nonstop without taking a gulp for air and developed many friends through these characteristics. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved sharing time with her family at Reunions, and holiday functions. She had affection for helping others and shared her years of wisdom most favorably with her children and grandchildren.

Sheryl was united in marriage to Floyd Rainey, Jr. on September 3, 1966. They shared a life together for over 50 years until her demise. They were blessed with a daughter, Catrina Denise and a son, Floyd Clifford, during this union.

Sheryl leaves to cherish her memory a loving husband, Floyd Rainey, Jr.; her daughter, Catrina (Kevin); son, Floyd C. (Shannon); grandchildren, D'Andre Rainey, Deona Rainey, Meco Rainey, Tashina Ferguson amd Kimora Jones; a great grandchild, Jacoby Hines; three sisters, Jacqueline (King) Cherry, Sharon Simmons and Pamela Jenkins; three nieces, Lynn Byrd, Michele Cherry-Smith and Stacy Jenkins; four nephews, Sherman Byrd, Tracy Clark, Michael Cherry and Mark Cherry; step-grandchildren, Shardy Banks, Maya Parson, Myasha Parson, and Malcolm; mother-in-law, Veeta Rainey; three sisters-in-law, Roxanna Reaves (Louis), Rosanna Brisbon and Ramona Ajamu (Adisa); aunt, Edith Brown; aunt-in-law and next door neighbor, Cozelle Jones; adopted sister, Barbara Richardson; numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins, as well as special cousins, Joyce Allen and Janice Ferguson.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, April 7, 2017 at First Church of Newport News (Baptist). Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be from 1-6 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Friday. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.